6 types of light I use when taking photos

There are so many different styles of photography and I wanted to write a blog post to share some examples of different ways to use light at a photo session. I have a pretty consistent style to the photos I take, whether I’m in the family’s home or outdoors. The way I pose and guide, promote child and family connection, and compose my images are consistent across my sessions. It’s lifestyle photography! If I am in a home that is bright and has colorful decor and has a lot of natural light, it will be an easy choice to go with composing and editing the images to be bright with the setting. It drives me crazy to see photography edits that make a photo look super dark and moody when actually it was bright and daylight outside. I tend to go with the ambience of the session and location.

One reason that I choose not to be a studio photographer is that I like to use light differently, again, for the reasons I mentioned above. Time of day, location, and available light all contribute to what a final image will look like.

Keep reading to see the different types of light I like to use at family and newborn sessions:

backlight/rim light

The sun sets behind the trees at this location and it’s so beautiful to see the sun shining through the trees, illuminating the subjects and getting some rim light! These weren’t quite golden hour but I chose to backlight this mama and her son to have a brighter, joyful look in this image.

golden hour

Depending on the location of the session, we can choose to shoot at golden hour which is the hour right before the sun sets. There is a creamy golden haze that can only be seen twice a day. I’m all about a morning golden hour session but most often the evening golden hour is more preferred for families and young children!

open shade / flat light

This photo session was from an in home newborn session, where we started inside and then came outside for the second half of the session. By the time we came outside there was plenty of sun shining into the family’s backyard so we found an area that was under the trees and well shaded. This type of light is known as flat light. It’s clean and I use it a lot depending on how the light shines through the location. There isn’t as much dimension and the light is pretty even on the subjects which means no eye squinting! ;-)

flash

I always bring my flash during in home sessions just in case we need more light in the rooms. This maternity session was done in the early evening and there wasn’t much light coming through the windows. The nursery as you cam see, has bright color and details that I wanted to capture. We would have had a totally different feel had I used just the natural window light, but I purposely used flash to keep this image bright and colorful.

dappled light

It’s always fun to do something a little different and use light in a new way. I was just photographing this mama in another area of the bedroom when I happened to notice the way the dappled light was coming through the window. I chose to show the color image here but the black and white also looked great with the contrast of all of the lines!

dramatic light

I loved this corner at this family’s home and knew I wanted to do something a little different here too. We took several photos upstairs with the flash and I knew in this specific area I wanted to use the directional light from the window and a lower exposure to create a more intimate image. And of course to focus on this little girl’s beautiful red hair.

It’s always fun to push my creativity to be able to fill your gallery after your family session.

Send me a message to schedule your family session!

5 Tips for a Successful Family Session

You have your family photo shoot booked, now what? Have you ever had photos taken of your family? I’m glad you’re here! I offer family and newborn sessions in the DC area and it brings me joy to photograph children and families in a natural and organic way. I have included some tips in this blog post about how to make sure you enjoy getting special moments captured with your family.

Keep reading if you want to know 5 tips for a successful family session…

1. use flattering Light

   Light is one of the most important ingredients of what makes a good image. Most of the photos I take at family and newborn sessions use natural light. For in home sessions we will spend time in areas with the best window light in your home. We can think traditional rooms such as the master room, living room or bedrooms, or we can think outside the box and spend time in your kitchen or sun room! When I arrive to your home we will turn off all of the lights and open any window curtains or blinds and see where we can find nice creamy light. For outdoor sessions we will use natural light either first thing in the morning about an hour after the sun rises or about an hour before the sun sets. Midday sun is not flattering and a little harder to work with, so my favorite is golden hour or shaded areas outdoors!

2. wear comfortable Clothing 

   I want you to feel like yourself when you get photos taken of your family, but don’t feel the need to go out and buy super fancy outfits that you’ll never wear again. I usually recommend Mom choosing her outfit first and then dressing the rest of the family in colors and textures that are coordinated with Mom’s outfit. I encourage you to put fun outfits together and making sure you can move around comfortably. Think color, texture, pattern and season. Still not sure what to wear for family photos? Check out this blog post.

3. choose your Location 

   One of the first things I do when a family contacts me about booking a photo session is deciding which location is best for a photo session location. I’m a family photographer located in the DC area and can always recommend areas that I enjoy photographing. Depending on what you’re looking for, we can have your session in a park, an urban location, outdoors at your home. If there is a location that is special to your family we can use that location as well. Check out this blog post for photo locations for your family session in the DC area.

4. be familiar with photographer’s Style 

   As a lifestyle family photographer it’s important that I can photograph and document your family’s memories the way you want to look back and remember. If you are looking for a super posed, formal photography session where everyone is looking at the camera, you may want to search for a different photographer that can better meet your needs. If you’re looking to have a laid back and playful session let’s chat! I will pose and guide your family to naturally interact which will help to create beautiful photos of your family!

5. Prepare your children

   Let your children know ahead of time that we will have a photo session and they will get to play. The last thing we want is for your child to dread the photo shoot. Your family will have a great time playing and snuggling with one another and I’m just there to put you in great spots, make sure you’re close, and take your photos!

Send me a message to schedule your family session!

What Should I Wear for my Family Photo Session?

I get this question often! What should we wear for family photos? When you’re picking out what you want your family to wear for family photos I always like to suggest a few things you can do.

The first thing I will note is that I am a lifestyle family photographer so what’s most important to me is that you enjoy your session and the photos are able to show what your family connection feels like, not necessarily a photo of everyone dressed perfectly and looking at the camera.

With that being said, I do feel that there is some strategy that comes along with outfit choices.

Keep reading to see what to wear at your family photo session:

Keep these tips in mind and you can dress as dressy or casual as you’d like!

1. be comfortable

   Dress comfortable! If you have little ones, you’ll be carrying them and moving around to play with them and I want you to be comfortable! Comfortable to you can mean a dress for you Mama, or it can simply be a cute top and jeans (or shorts!). I would suggest dressing with the season so that you’re nice and comfortable and not too hot or too cold.

2. start with mom’s outfit

   I usually recommend starting with an outfit that Mom feels and looks great wearing. Once Mom is good to go, see if your family members have clothes with colors that compliment the colors in your outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a patterned dress, you can have your family members wear choices that bring out the colors in your dress.

3. coordinate, not match

   Your lifestyle family session isn’t a formal - let’s all go to a studio and dress alike - everyone look the same - session. Be you!

   Simply use colors that go together such as different shades of the same color or complimentary colors that are opposites on the color wheel. We aren’t going to be all wearing those white tees and matching khaki pants here. Add some more interesting clothing choices than that! I promise your photos will look much better when your outfit choices coordinate and look arranged but not matchy matchy.

4. stay away from large logos & “screen tees”

   Unless you’re going for a specific look/theme for your photos, please stay away from wearing shirts with large logos or screen / character tees. This can sometimes date the photos and won’t look as great for the professional look of family photos. It is probably best to stick with solids and prints for your session.

5. add pops of color

   I love love love color and it’s pretty obvious on my website and when you see my work! If you have some items in your wardrobe with a little bit of color definitely go with that! It helps to make the photo more interesting and helps to add layers and variety to the photo.

6. add a mix of texture & pattern

   I would change things up and have one or two of your family members in a different texture or pattern than you. This can mean someone in your family wearing plaid and another member wearing something a little more simple. Think about what you already have in your wardrobe and lay out everything before your session to see how it all looks together.

I have also put together this Pinterest Board in case you need more What to Wear ideas! I hope this is helpful!

Send me a message to schedule your family session!