Oh boy, lighting is probably the HARDEST part of any wedding day. When planning an engagement or family session, the photographer has more control over the light. We can choose locations and times of day that are best to capture soft, gorgeous light. This allows us to capture our subjects in the dreamiest way.
On the wedding day location, timing and intensity of light are pretty much out of our control. Our lighting is usually the opposite of what we want which makes us work a bit harder to create those dreamy pictures. What we can do is work with what we have. Proper education, equipment and preparation can help you work with any and all lighting conditions, even in a pinch.
1.Educate & Communicate with Your Bride
This is likely the first time your bride has planned a wedding, and she’s probably not a professional photographer. This is why she hired you. Make sure to let her know the best conditions for getting the highest quality photos. Show her the work in your portfolio and what lighting conditions you were working with to make it happen. When a bride suggests a location or venue that is NOT conducive to my typical style, I will let her know that I would LOVE to photograph her wedding, BUT it will look differently than what she sees on my website because I will be using different lighting techniques. I will show her weddings shot in similar settings so she knows exactly what to expect when choosing a different venue than what is recommended for dreamy light. Here are my basic standards of what does and doesn’t photograph well for MY style (you may not agree).
What photographs best?
- Venues with big open windows that fill up a room with natural light
- Outdoor venues, backyards and open areas (at the right time of day—evening light)
- Ceremonies that start at the beginning of golden hour
What doesn’t photograph well?
- Dark-lit venues with yellow, dim light
- Ceremonies that start at high noon
- Venues with big open windows behind the ceremony (and none in front)
2.Proper Equipment and Placement
The next step to combatting all the crazy lighting situations on a wedding day is being prepared with proper equipment.
- Diffusers/Reflectors
- On Camera Flash
- Off Camera Flash
- Continuous Lighting
- Shade
- Backlight
Ceremony Light: [Shade and sometimes On Camera Flash for fill light]
Typically my ceremonies are in the middle of the day or early evening. Most of my brides get married in a shaded area, but there can be some harsh light walking down the aisle or where the wedding party is standing depending on how early the ceremony starts. My goal is to always expose for faces of the bride and groom as they are walking down the aisle and standing at the front of their wedding guests. I don’t usually use diffusers, reflectors, flash or continuous lighting because most of my ceremonies are filled with natural light. If the ceremony is shot later in the evening or in a dark lit venue, I would use the same set up as my reception lighting.
- Expose for Bride and Groom Faces
- Underexpose (a little) in harsh conditions to bring down highlights and bring up shadows
- Encourage shade for the actual ceremony
Family & Group Pictures [Shade or Backlight]
You have to choose a location for family and group pictures that will create evenly lit light on all their faces. Be firm about finding shade. If you can’t find shade, backlight! Expose for their faces and put the light source to their backs. This will blow out the background, but it will help you avoid squinty eyes, harsh shadows and ugly mixed lighting.
Reception Light: [On and Off Camera Flash]
I used to dread reception lighting because it was always different, typically really ugly and made for some horrible white balance adjustments. Reception lighting still isn’t my favorite, but with off camera flash I can create gorgeous natural looking light in ANY venue. You can find my set up HERE. I use a one-light set up and find a corner for it to face all the action and light up an entire room. It sounds intimidating, but once you try it a few times, you’ll be hooked too! Sometimes I also have a flash on camera to help add in some extra light or use my flash as a backlight to mix it up.
Exit Light: [Continuous Light & Off Camera Flash]
I’ve found that focusing at an exit can very hard because the bride and groom come out fast, and the light is typically completely gone by the time they’re off to their honeymoon. I still use my off camera flash for pretty directional light, but I add in my on camera video light that allows me to focus on my subjects while we’re both running through the exit tunnel.
PIN IT! Wedding Day Lighting
Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.
January 4, 2018
Kylee Maughan
