In photography, everything comes down to light. It’s literally the medium that creates an image. For your wedding photo sessions, paying attention to lighting conditions can dramatically affect the results. The right light can make a simple scene look enchanting, while poor lighting might leave important details lost in shadow. Understanding a few lighting basics will help you and your photographer plan for beautiful wedding photos.
One of the top lighting tips for weddings is to take advantage of Golden Hour, the hour or so before sunset when the sun’s light is soft and golden. Photos taken during this time have a warm glow and a flattering, romantic look. If possible, plan to do your couple’s portraits around sunset. Just 15 - 20 minutes of shooting during Golden Hour can yield incredibly beautiful images when the light is most magical. Many couples step out of the reception briefly for sunset photos. It’s worth taking that small break for those stunning shots.
Conversely, the midday sun (late morning through early afternoon) can be very harsh. Under a bright noon sky, people tend to squint and dark shadows appear under the eyes and nose, which isn’t very flattering. If your schedule requires photos during this time, try to find a shaded area or some sort of cover to diffuse the sunlight. For example, position yourselves under a tree, by the side of a building, or under a sheer canopy during the ceremony. Open shade gives more even, gentle light that will make everyone look their best even at high noon.
Indoor lighting is another factor. When getting ready or doing portraits indoors, choose a room with ample window light if you can. Natural light coming in from windows is usually softer and more true to color than most overhead room lights. Mixing different types of light (like daylight and orange tinted indoor bulbs) can lead to odd color casts in photos. To avoid that, your photographer may turn off some artificial lights and rely on window light, or use professional lighting to balance things out. If you’re in a dark venue like an old church, try to stand facing any windows or light sources rather than having them at your back this way your faces will be illuminated.
Good photographers know how to use light creatively. Often, they will position the sun behind the couple for outdoor portraits, giving a lovely halo effect around you (and preventing squinting)strieglerphoto.com. Then they might use a reflector or a subtle flash to fill in light on your faces so you both are well lit against a bright background. This technique ensures you get beautiful sky and sunset colors without turning the two of you into silhouettes.
Speaking of flash, there are times it’s indispensable. As daylight fades into evening, or for indoor receptions and dance floor action, your photographer will likely bring out some flash. A skilled shooter will use flash carefully to avoid that “flashy” look, often bouncing the light off ceilings or walls or diffusing it, so that it complements the natural ambiance. Some photographers who favor a documentary style use flash only when absolutely necessary, preferring to work with natural light as much as possible. Others are masters at off camera flash, creating dramatic nighttime portraits with creative lighting. Discuss your preferences with your photographer so they know if you love the warm glow of candles and twinkle lights (and want to preserve that mood), or if you’d like some vibrant, flash lit dance photos.
In the end, paying attention to lighting means fewer surprises and more stunning photos. Whether it’s scheduling portraits for the ideal time of day or adding a bit of fill light in a dark space, the goal is to ensure you can literally see the love and joy on everyone’s faces. With great lighting, your wedding images will glow (both figuratively and literally) for years to come.
