What’s So Special About Natural Light Wedding Photography?
Natural Light Wedding Photography
You might be surprised to learn that I’ve spent years studying lighting. I’ve watched courses with Joe McNally - the master of Flash, explored the ‘Strobist’ approach by David Hobby, and studied the bigger setups used by Felix Kunze.
So, what exactly is natural lighting? There is some debate, surprisingly, and some photographers prefer to call it ‘found’ light because it’s not always strictly natural. The ‘natural’ light source is the sun, but sometimes other light sources are available on wedding days - string lights, candles, or DJ lights, for instance. These, although not natural, are ‘found’ light sources, which means I don’t bring my own lights and light a scene myself.
So why do I prefer natural light wedding photography? It’s not because I don’t understand lighting—it’s a deliberate choice. Whenever possible, I leave the flash untouched in my camera bag, even in tricky lighting conditions. Here’s why I believe natural light creates the most authentic and emotionally rich wedding images. That being said, there are some moments that can really benefit from a little flash, such as the outrageous dancing.
Why Choose Natural Light Wedding Photography?
1. It Creates a More Authentic Experience
Photography isn’t just about capturing an image—it’s about capturing a connection. As John Dolan once said:
“Photography shouldn’t just show what something looked like, it should show how it felt.”
Juggling multiple flashes and gear can create a barrier between me and the people I’m photographing. When I rely on natural light, I can focus on the genuine, unscripted moments—those little glances, spontaneous laughter, and quiet emotions that define a wedding day. Flash photography often requires more posing and setup, which can interrupt these natural interactions. Not to mention that it can be a bit aggressive popping a blinding light in someone’s face.
2. It Preserves the Atmosphere of Your Wedding
Light sets the mood. Whether it’s soft candlelight during an intimate dinner, the golden glow of sunset, or the twinkling of fairy lights at a reception, natural light wedding photography preserves the genuine ambiance of your day.
Artificial lighting can sometimes flatten these natural tones, removing the warmth and depth that make each wedding unique. While I firmly believe purple uplighters should be reserved for Halloween, I do love working with warm, ambient lighting to enhance the visual storytelling of your wedding.
Mastering Low-Light Wedding Photography
Many photographers worry about low-light situations, but I believe they offer incredible creative potential. Low light adds mood, drama, and emotion to wedding images. Here’s how I embrace it:
Fast Lenses: I use prime lenses with wide apertures (such as f/1.2) to capture every detail in dim lighting. Basically it means the camera can see loads of light.
Slow Shutter Speeds: I push my shutter speed to its limits, allowing me to work with available light rather than relying on flash. Sometimes this can create blur in photos, but I love that movement.
Intuitive Light Awareness: Years of experience have trained my eye to find and use natural light in the most effective ways. Often, the most striking photo might be a silhouette.
What About the Dance Floor?
Even during the reception, I rely on natural or ambient light whenever possible. Flash can either flood the room with light or become a distraction when directed at guests. Instead, I embrace the natural energy of the dance floor—even if that means a bit of grain in the images. I’d rather preserve the raw emotion and movement than create a perfectly lit but lifeless shot.
That said, I do carry a flash that I often bring out later into the party to get some higher energy shots with a different feel.
Do I Ever Use Flash?
Yes—sparingly. I carry a small Godox AD200 flash, but it comes out only when absolutely necessary. If a couple requests a formal portrait in a dimly lit space with no available natural light, I’ll use flash to ensure a flattering image.
I also keep larger flash setups in my car for extreme situations, but honestly, they rarely make an appearance. My goal is always to work with the natural light first, creating images that feel true to the moment.
Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Natural Light Wedding Photography
Natural light is more than just a stylistic choice—it’s a sort of philosophy. It allows for a more immersive, authentic, and emotionally resonant approach to capturing weddings. Instead of imposing artificial light, I work with what’s naturally present, ensuring that every image reflects the real atmosphere of your day.
If you’re looking for a photographer who embraces natural light wedding photography and prioritises genuine, emotive storytelling, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s create something beautiful together.
