How to Utilize Natural Light in Client’s Homes | Newborn Photography Education

Newborn photography education can be overwhelming! I get it. So let’s start with the basics…utilizing natural light. Natural light is my favorite light to work with for in home sessions. Why? Because it looks natural. Seriously. I’m so excited to share with you how to utilize natural light in clients homes!

I understand it can be scary because you don’t always know what to expect when you walk into a client’s home so I want to give you my quick and easy tips to best utilize natural light in clients homes!

Step One.

Turn off all the overhead lights. You don’t want to mix tungsten light with natural light…you’ll get funky skin tones and it will make things harder to edit.

Step Two.

Open allllllllll the curtains and blinds. You want to flood the room with as much natural light as you can!

Step Three.

Have your client face the window if possible. I always try to place my clients in a spot that will allow them to face the window (or light source) so that it will give them nice, pretty, even light on their face.

Bonus:

If you’re photographing a newborn session, make sure that when mom or dad is holding them, the top of their head is facing the light source. This will ensure that the light comes down their face properly.

Bonus Two:

Use a reflector. Oh you thought reflectors were just for outdoor photos? Nope! The purpose of a reflector is to bounce white light and fill shadows. So if you’re in a client’s home and you find that they have heavy shadows under their eyes, pop open your reflector to help fill the light!

That’s it, friends. Using natural light properly isn’t complicated. Follow these few steps above and you’ll be confident in no time:)

Need help preparing for your lifestyle session? Check out my blog post about that here!

And if you need more guidance in your newborn photography education journey, be sure and join my facebook group, Katie Stephens Education, where I’m always showing up to answer your questions and simplifying your process!