What’s the best photography for your wedding or portrait session? Natural light or flash? I say both!
Photographers are a pretty diverse bunch. They have all kinds of personality types, different ways of interacting with clients, differing ways of thinking about photography and stylistic differences.
Some photographers call themselves natural light photographers. This generally means they will use whatever light is available to make their images. This is a perfectly fine way to go - until the natural light isn’t so great. Then, what’s the plan?
As you look for a photographer that matches your personal style, you may decide the natural light “look” is what you’re after. But, before you set your decision in stone, consider that you might actually want a photographer that’s comfortable in any lighting situation.
I’m always looking for good light. Light that is flattering to my clients and light that has a look to it.
My first choice is natural light.
Is it looking good? Does it get me excited to make a photograph? Do my clients look great? Three check marks and that’s the way we go!
Only available light. The bridal party is back-lit, creating a soft, bright and airy look.
Soft, diffused light - no flash.
What if the natural light looks really good but my clients are a little bit in the shadows
I could make a brighter exposure but I will likely “blow out” all that natural light goodness. Sometimes losing detail doesn’t matter. It can look really good.
While there isn’t detail in the sky in this photo, it doesn’t matter. It looks good.
Without worrying about a flash, it’s easy to capture this natural moment.
But, often losing so much detail isn’t so great
When I’m working with my clients at locations like the Grand Canyon or in Sedona, capturing the dramatic landscape is really important. And accurately capturing a stunning sunset often requires a little help from a flash.
In order to capture the drama of Horseshoe Bend, I used a flash behind the couple to help separate them from the background and a second flash coming from the right of the photo to bring them out of the shadows. Using just available light would not have achieved this look at all.
Using a flash allows me to balance the exposure of the couple and the sunset behind them - in a very natural looking way.
using both natural light and flash side by side in the same moment
By staying open to both options, I can get a variety of looks and feels in a matter of minutes.
The above photo is available light - no flash. It looks great.
Natural light on this one.
Flash this time. A slightly different look but compliments the photo on the left.
Little bit of flash on this one. Makes the lake and reflections more colorful and rich.
When it comes to taking photos inside with little natural light coming in from doors and windows, flash is crucial
Wedding preparation photos often benefit from some extra light. And receptions are all about strategically placed flashes.
We wouldn’t be able to see this little cutie’s face without some extra light from my flash off to the right.
With very little ambient light available during this wedding reception, strategically placed flashes light the bride and groom.
I made this portrait in the home where the groom grew up. Not much available light. So the added flash really helps. And, it looks pretty naturally lit.
Getting creative
It goes without saying that it takes a solid understanding of flash photography to make more creative photographs, especially after dark.
The outdoor fire pit did give off some light but not nearly enough to make this photo work at all. I needed to add some flash from the right to balance the exposure of the flames and the couple. In other words, to keep the flames orange I had to pull this exposure way down and then add flash back in on the couple.
This is a combination of two different photos - a double exposure - all done in the camera. First a photo of the couple outside the venue using flash and then a photo of the venue lighting layered on top. Can’t make this one happen with out some creative use of flash.
Another double exposure. The first photo is of the couple inside a very dark church taken with the help of some flash. I layered an out of focus photo of a beautiful floral arrangement I found later that day at the reception.
These two got married at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The museum features some pretty cool dinosaur fossils. Inside. So out come the lights! One is pointed up at the Dilophosaurus’ head, which would have been pretty dark and in shadow without it. The second light is illuminating the couple. This would never have worked using just available light.
At the end of the night, all the guests left the reception to go outside for a sparkler exit and the bride and groom shared a private last dance. In order to capture a more dramatic photo I used to flashes way out of frame to light the couple. I could then drop the overall exposure so we can’t see empty tables full of drinks and plates etc. We can just focus on the couple. As it should be!
Without a flash, the couple in this photo would be in the dark. But this is such a beautiful series of arches in this hallway at the Royal Palms in Phoenix so out comes the flash.
Sparkler photos at the end of the night can always use some extra light to illuminate the couple.
Combining natural light and flash photography opens up so many possibilities and options for your photos.
Every photo session requires a whole bunch of different approaches to making photos because the light is constantly changing and locations are changing. It’s important to trust your photographer to make good choices throughout the day. And to trust that they can meet challenging lighting situations confidently and use those challenging situations to make really cool creative photos. As this post illustrates, I love both natural light and flash photography and use them side by side on almost every shoot.