Great wedding photography isn't just about having an expensive camera or a talented photographer (though those certainly help!). Often, the single most important factor in creating stunning wedding images is lighting. Understanding how lighting affects your wedding photos can help you make informed decisions about your venue, scheduling, and even your décor that will result in truly magical images.
Why Lighting Matters
Light is quite literally what creates a photograph. The word "photography" comes from Greek words meaning "drawing with light," and that's exactly what happens when a photo is taken. The quality, direction, color, and intensity of light all dramatically affect how your photos will look.
Good lighting can:
- Flatter skin tones and minimize imperfections
- Create mood and atmosphere
- Define textures and details
- Draw attention to what's important in the frame
- Add depth and dimension to images
Types of Light and When to Use Them
Natural Light
Natural light refers to sunlight in all its various forms. It's often the most flattering light source and creates a natural, timeless look in photos. Here's a breakdown of different natural lighting conditions:
Golden Hour
This is the magical period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating warm, golden, directional light. This light is incredibly flattering, casting a romantic glow on everything it touches. If possible, schedule your couple portraits during golden hour – typically an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset, though this varies by season and location.
Blue Hour
Just before sunrise or after sunset, there's a brief period when the sky turns a deep blue while still providing enough light to illuminate subjects. This can create a dramatic, moody atmosphere perfect for artistic portraits, especially when combined with venue lighting.
Midday Sun
Contrary to popular belief, midday sun isn't always the enemy. While harsh direct sunlight can create unflattering shadows, finding open shade (such as under a tree or on the shaded side of a building) during midday can provide beautiful, even light that's perfect for group photos and portraits.
Overcast Days
Don't despair if your wedding day is cloudy! Overcast skies act like a giant softbox, diffusing the light and creating soft, even illumination that's actually ideal for portraits. Colors often appear more saturated on cloudy days, and you don't have to worry about squinting in bright sunlight.
Artificial Light
As the day progresses into evening, artificial lighting becomes more important. Understanding the types of artificial light at your venue can help you plan for beautiful evening photos:
Ambient Venue Lighting
This includes the existing lighting at your venue – chandeliers, wall sconces, recessed lighting, etc. Warm ambient lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere but may not be bright enough for photography without additional light sources.
Decorative Lighting
String lights, candles, fairy lights, and other decorative lighting elements add charm and create a magical atmosphere in photos. They're excellent for creating bokeh (those beautiful blurry light circles in the background of photos) but usually don't provide enough illumination on their own.
Flash and Professional Lighting
Your photographer will likely bring professional lighting equipment for indoor or evening scenarios. This might include on-camera flash, off-camera flash, continuous lights, or a combination. These tools allow photographers to create beautiful images regardless of the ambient lighting conditions.
Venue Considerations
When choosing your wedding venue, consider these lighting factors:
Indoor Venues
- Window Light: Natural light streaming through windows can create beautiful, dramatic portraits. Look for venues with large windows, preferably north-facing (in the Northern Hemisphere) for the most consistent, diffused light.
- Ceiling Height: Higher ceilings allow light to bounce more naturally and give photographers more flexibility with lighting setups.
- Wall Color: Light-colored walls reflect light and create a brighter atmosphere, while dark walls absorb light and can create a more intimate mood.
Outdoor Venues
- Direction: Consider which direction the main areas face. West-facing spaces will receive golden hour light just before sunset, while east-facing areas will be bathed in morning golden hour.
- Shade Options: Even if you're planning a sunset ceremony, having shaded areas available gives your photographer flexibility throughout the day.
- Backup Weather Plans: Always have a plan for how lighting will work if weather forces you indoors.
Timeline Planning for Optimal Light
Consider these timeline suggestions to make the most of lighting throughout your wedding day:
Getting Ready (Morning to Midday)
Choose a prep space with large windows and, if possible, neutral-colored walls. Turn off all artificial lights in the room (unless it's very dark) to avoid color casts from different light sources. Position the main activities (makeup application, putting on the dress) near windows but not in direct sunlight.
Ceremony (Late Afternoon)
For outdoor ceremonies, aim for 2-3 hours before sunset. This provides good light without the extreme brightness and harsh shadows of midday. Position the ceremony so the sun isn't directly behind the officiant (which would put the couple in shadow) or directly in the couple's eyes, causing squinting.
Family Photos (After Ceremony)
Plan for an area with even, consistent light. Open shade outdoors or a well-lit indoor space with large windows works well.
Couple Portraits (Golden Hour)
Schedule at least 30 minutes for portraits during golden hour, ideally 45-60 minutes before sunset. This might mean stepping away from the reception briefly, but the resulting photos will be worth it.
Reception (Evening)
Discuss lighting with your venue and photographer. Uplighting, string lights, and candles all create ambiance. For key moments like first dance and cake cutting, ensure there's enough light for the photographer to capture clear images.
Lighting Challenges and Solutions
Mixed Lighting
Challenge: Different light sources (daylight, tungsten, fluorescent) create different color casts in photos.
Solution: Where possible, stick to one type of light source in a space. If you can't control this, your photographer can use color correction techniques and gels on their flashes to compensate.
Dark Venues
Challenge: Some historic or romantic venues (like castles or barns) have very low light levels.
Solution: Discuss additional lighting options with your photographer and venue. Candles, fairy lights, and strategic uplighting can add both ambiance and functional light.
Harsh Midday Sun
Challenge: Direct overhead sun creates unflattering shadows and causes squinting.
Solution: Look for open shade, or if that's not available, your photographer might use a diffuser to soften the light or a reflector to bounce light and fill in shadows.
Communication with Your Photographer
The key to great wedding photos is open communication with your photographer about lighting considerations:
- Share your venue details and schedule as early as possible.
- Ask if they've worked at your venue before and if they have sample photos from similar lighting conditions.
- Discuss any lighting concerns specific to your venue or time of year.
- Be open to suggestions about timing for key photos.
- Ask what additional lighting equipment they'll bring for challenging situations.
Final Thoughts
While it might seem technical, understanding basic lighting principles can help you make decisions that will significantly impact your wedding photos. Remember that even with the most challenging lighting situations, an experienced photographer will have techniques and equipment to create beautiful images.
If you're still in the venue selection or scheduling phase of your wedding planning, consider prioritizing locations and times that offer favorable natural light. Your photographer will thank you, and you'll be rewarded with timeless, flattering images that perfectly capture your special day.
At Stecchypox Media, our photographers are experts at working with all lighting conditions to create stunning wedding imagery. If you'd like to discuss your specific wedding lighting situation or schedule a consultation for our photography services, please contact us.
