Top Tips for Stunning Natural Light Portraits

When it comes to capturing portraits that truly resonate, nothing beats the magic of natural light. I’ve always found that natural light brings out the best in people - their warmth, their personality, and that authentic glow that studio lights sometimes miss. If you’re aiming to create portraits that feel genuine and stylish, embracing natural light is a game-changer. Let me share some of my favourite tips and tricks to help you master natural portrait techniques and create images that tell a story.

Embracing Natural Portrait Techniques: The Basics

First things first, understanding how natural light behaves is key. Unlike artificial lighting, natural light changes throughout the day, offering a variety of moods and effects. Early mornings and late afternoons, often called the golden hours, provide soft, warm light that flatters skin tones beautifully. Midday sun, on the other hand, can be harsh and create unflattering shadows.

Here’s what I always keep in mind:

• Observe the light: Spend a few minutes noticing how the light falls on your subject. Is it soft or harsh? Is it coming from the side, front, or back?

• Use reflectors: A simple white card or reflector can bounce light back onto your subject’s face, filling in shadows and adding a lovely glow.

• Position your subject wisely: Placing your subject near a window or outdoors in shaded areas can help you avoid harsh shadows and squinting.

  
  

By mastering these basics, you’ll be well on your way to creating portraits that feel natural and inviting.

Soft natural light coming through a window illuminating a subject

What is the Best Natural Lighting for Portraits?

This is a question I get asked a lot. The truth is, the best natural lighting depends on the mood you want to create and the story you want to tell. But generally, the most flattering natural light for portraits is soft, diffused light.

Here are some lighting conditions I recommend:

• Golden hour light: This is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. The light is warm, soft, and directional, creating beautiful highlights and gentle shadows.

• Overcast days: Clouds act like a giant diffuser, softening the sunlight and reducing harsh shadows. It’s perfect for even skin tones and subtle expressions.

• Shade: Shooting in the shade on a sunny day can give you consistent, soft light without the harsh contrast of direct sun.

  
  

Avoid shooting in direct midday sun if you can. The overhead light creates strong shadows under the eyes and nose, which can be unflattering. If you must shoot at this time, look for shaded spots or use a diffuser to soften the light.

How to Use Natural Light to Enhance Your Subject’s Features

One of the joys of natural portrait techniques is how you can sculpt your subject’s face with light. Here’s how I approach it:

• Side lighting: Position your subject so the light hits them from the side. This creates depth and dimension, highlighting cheekbones and jawlines.

• Backlighting: Place the light source behind your subject. This can create a dreamy halo effect around their hair and outline their silhouette beautifully. Just be sure to expose for the face so it doesn’t get too dark.

• Front lighting: When the light is coming from directly in front, it flattens features but can be great for a clean, bright look.

  
  

Don’t be afraid to move your subject around and experiment with angles. Sometimes a slight turn of the head or a tilt can make all the difference in how the light interacts with their face.

Tips for Capturing Authentic Expressions with Natural Light

Lighting is important, but capturing genuine emotion is what truly makes a portrait stand out. Here’s what I do to help my subjects relax and shine:

• Chat and connect: I start with a friendly conversation to break the ice. When people feel comfortable, their expressions become more natural.

• Give gentle direction: Instead of stiff poses, I suggest small movements or ask them to think about something meaningful. This helps evoke real smiles and thoughtful looks.

• Use the environment: Incorporate natural elements like trees, benches, or walls to create a relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes leaning against a tree or sitting on a step can help people feel more at ease.

  
  

Remember, the best portraits often come from moments between poses - those little glances, laughs, or thoughtful pauses.

Natural light softly illuminating a person sitting on a bench outdoors

Practical Gear and Settings for Natural Light Portraits

You don’t need fancy equipment to get great results with natural light portraits, but a few tools and settings can make your life easier:

• Lens choice: A prime lens with a wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/2.8) is fantastic for portraits. It lets in more light and creates a beautiful background blur.

• Camera settings: Use a low ISO to keep your images clean and sharp. Adjust your aperture to control depth of field and shutter speed to avoid motion blur.

• Reflectors and diffusers: These inexpensive tools help you control natural light. Reflectors bounce light back onto your subject, while diffusers soften harsh sunlight.

• Tripod: Useful for stability, especially in lower light conditions.

  
  

Don’t forget to shoot in RAW format. It gives you more flexibility in post-processing to adjust exposure and colours without losing quality.

Bringing It All Together: Your Next Steps

Now that you’ve got a solid foundation in natural portrait techniques, it’s time to put these tips into practice. Whether you’re photographing friends, family, or clients, remember that the goal is to capture their unique story with authenticity and style.

If you want to see some inspiring examples or learn more about how to create stunning natural light portraits, I highly recommend checking out Piotr Lakowski’s work. His approach to natural light and storytelling is truly inspiring and can give you fresh ideas for your own photography.

Keep experimenting with light, angles, and connection. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in creating portraits that feel alive and heartfelt. Happy shooting!