How to Find the Right Light

Light is the absolute most important ingredient in portraits!  Clean, consistent, beautiful portraits depend on finding the light and using it to your advantage.

Starting out, I used to think the secret was a location - a pretty picket fence or tree.  The backgrounds were always pretty but the light on our clients wasn't consistently gorgeous every time.

Now, instead of location, I'm looking for beautiful light!

So, with that, here’s our formula for how to find the right light every where we shoot.

1. Soft, Even Light from Head-to-Toe

Your subject's entire body (or whatever part of the body is in the portrait) needs to be evenly exposed. No harsh light, hot spots or split lighting.

2. Soft, Even Light in the Background 

In order for the background not to be distracting and to flatter the subject as much as possible, the light in the background needs to match the light on the subject.

3. Back lighting is a bonus!

Unless it's overcast, I LOVE using back light!  It provides pretty rim light around the subjects and pops them off the background.  Watch out for haze - when sunlight enters the frame.  If it's overcast, flip your subject around and shoot front lit.

So how do you find the right light?  Most any light can be great light if you now how to manipulate it!  This tips are a great place to start!

Cheering you on!