Why The Correct Lighting Is Crucial For Beautiful Wedding Photography

A lot of people take lighting for granted when it comes to photography. They think, ‘hey, I’ve got a great camera and some sweet lenses, I’m good to go’. But the right lighting can make all the difference between a stunning, cinematic shot and a dull, flat, lifeless image.

I spend a large chunk of my life shooting beautiful wedding photography in Cronulla. Lighting is one of the tools I rely most heavily on to create striking images that couples keep coming back to look at. So what exactly is the best light for wedding photos? And how can you use it to your advantage? Here are a few light-based wedding photography tips that I’ve picked up during my career.

Sunny Days

The biggest light in your arsenal is of course, the sun. It’s big, it’s free, and you can rent it for the whole day. Here’s the problem with the sun though; it’s temperamental. You might be thinking, the more sun the better right? Afraid not. Sunny days aren’t always great for photography.

Full on midday sun can be a nightmare. It blasts out the highlights in a picture, creates contrasting shadows and doesn’t leave any room for nuance. The result is a flat, blown-out image. Plus, everybody’s usually squinting. So if it’s raining on your wedding day, don’t stress! The photos will probably turn out better than if the sun was blazing.

If it’s sunny and you’re shooting in a building then it’s a different story. You can control how much light you let into the photo by positioning your subjects against the window, adjusting from there. But outside? My advice is to avoid a sunny day between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (season dependent, of course).

Low Light is King

Low light is ideal for your wedding portraits. Everyone looks gorgeous in low light, and it creates an intimate, personal atmosphere, even if you’re shooting outside. The best time to take wedding portraits outdoors is during sunset; the light is diffused, hazy and angled. In other words, the perfect conditions for gorgeous photographs. Skin tones pop and the whole shot is given an elegant sheen. 

Catch the Golden Hour (If You Can)

What time of day is best for wedding photos? I reckon you can guess the answer! Photographers and filmmakers call the hour immediately before the sun sets ‘the golden hour’, as it has such a beautiful quality of light. Photographs taken during this time are almost always ethereal and dreamlike. In other words, it’s the perfect time for those couple shots.

When you’re scheduling your wedding, sunset is a great time to slot in a photography hour. I know how hectic the day is, but the shots we’ll capture during a beautiful sunset might just be the most precious reminder of your special day. Trust me, it’s worth putting the effort in to do it right!

Natural Light Vs. Artificial Light

This is sometimes a stylistic choice for photographers. It can also be a practical one. Some photographers like working exclusively with natural light, while others like to mix and match with artificial sources. In truth, there is no correct answer to which is better; it depends on the intentions of the shot and the story it’s telling.

When you’re shooting a wedding, scout the location and look for picturesque spots that might make for a good photographic backdrop. After a while, you’ll notice these places automatically, taking light and symmetry into account.

In Need of Direction

Another important element to consider when planning photographs is the direction of the light. This can alter the entire look of an image in a major way. Front lighting is usually a bad idea; it’ll flatten the image in the same way as direct sunlight.

Light coming in from the side can be very effective, as it creates nice contrast on faces and gives images a certain cinematic quality. Backlighting can also look stunning, as it creates silhouettes. This is a good technique to employ with full-body shots as the results can be immediately dramatic and dynamic. Be careful not to overuse it though - people like seeing their faces too!

Get Your Hands on a Reflector

A reflector is a relatively cheap piece of kit that just might save your life one day. Not literally of course, but it is a handy tool to keep in your back pocket. A reflector is basically a piece of fabric with a reflective surface. It bounces back the light that’s already present in a shot, so you can direct where you want it to hit. This works great for accentuating faces or other details.

Ditch the Flash

The flash is a thing of the past. It’s invasive, distracting, momentarily blinding and altogether unsubtle. Many modern cameras are so advanced that you don’t require the extra light provided by the flash; you’ll still shoot great-looking shots. Keep it in your kit for serious low light situations when you have no other option. But for the average room lighting, say in a wedding reception, you should be just fine.

These few basic pointers will hopefully serve as an introduction to wedding photography lighting, but of course, there’s always more to learn! If you want to chat about your own upcoming wedding, or just shoot the breeze about photography in general, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!