If you’ve ever tried to take a picture, I’m sure you’ve noticed how much of a difference the right light can make. Trying to take sunset photos on your spring break beach trip can be pretty challenging if you want to get both your beautiful face and the sunset in the picture. Usually you’ll get your face lit with the flash and the sunset blown out OR you get all those beautiful sunset colors, but your pretty face is dark and can’t be seen. The right photographer can get you BOTH.
Natural Light vs Off Camera Lighting
Senior year is a time full of milestones and making memories to cherish forever. When it comes to capturing the magic of those special moments of your senior year, the right lighting can make all the difference. In the world of senior photography, two techniques stand out: natural light and off-camera lighting. Each has their own distinctions and reasons a photographer might want to use them. As you look to choose your senior photographer around Newnan, Peachtree City, and Fayetteville, GA (or anywhere!) let’s dive into the world of lighting and explore how your photographer’s lighting skills and techniques can impact your photos, and why a combination of both techniques (in my opinion) is the secret to unforgettable senior photos.
Harnessing Natural Light
So “natural light” is just that, the light that is naturally available from the environment. Depending on the weather, time of day, and the season of your senior session, this light can look vastly different. If you’ve heard a photographer describe themselves as a “natural light photographer” they mean that they simply use the light available to them in the moment. They may also use a reflector to help direct that available light. With all the elements working in your favor, this can be absolutely beautiful. Whether it’s that gorgeous golden hour glow or gentle rays peeking through a canopy of trees, natural light can create an authentic and timeless feel and craft connection between you and your environment. However, when all the elements are not working in your favor, you can be left with dark, drab, or lackluster images. You could be in the perfect outfit with the perfect pose, but without the right light, it will leave something to be desired. Weather has a huge impact on natural light photographers and can lead to a wide range in their portfolio, where certain photos pop while others seem just “ok.” Choosing a photographer that can skillfully harness natural light and use it artistically is imperative for your senior photo session.
The Artistry of Off-Camera Lighting
So what is “off-camera” lighting anyway? It’s just that! A light that is off the camera! Off-camera lighting (or “OCF” as it is typically referred to for “off camera flash”) is an external light source that is off of/not attached to the camera, like a flash or strobe. You typically see this method used in photography studios…so why would a senior photographer want to use this on location? OCF gives the photographer full control over the lighting setup so they don’t have to be dependent on the sun, and are less dependent on the weather. Photographers who use OCF are able to harness the power of light to craft unique and captivating photos by sculpting the light to highlight your best features, create dramatic shadows, and add depth to your images. Using off camera lighting also allows the photographer to capture that amazing sunset while having a perfectly lit subject, or add that awesome drama to that photo of the athlete. They can use light to bring out your unique personality and create captivating images that truly stand out.
Which is Your Favorite?
Do you have a preference? Do you just love the softness of the natural light images or do you love the way the OCF photos just seem to POP a bit more? Do you like BOTH and wish you didn’t have to choose?
The Best of Both Worlds
If you love BOTH styles, you don’t actually have to be stuck picking just one. When it comes to lighting, here at Meredith Kavanaugh Photography, we believe that you deserve to have the best of both worlds for your senior photos. Our approach is to leverage the pros of both methods to capture the essence of who you are in a variety of settings and lighting conditions…because your life is lived that way! This also gives your images and album variety! To truly elevate your senior session, we strategically introduce OCF as the accent to complement and enhance the natural light in some instances, or really make you POP in others. When the natural light is perfect we let it speak for itself.
When it comes to capturing your senior photos, the perfect lighting is essential. We believe that embracing the artistry of off camera lighting and seamlessly blending it with the beauty of natural light offers a more high-end and unparalleled experience. The interplay between natural light and OCF ensures your senior pictures are nothing short of extraordinary.
Something To Think About
When searching for your senior photographer in Newnan, GA and the surrounding areas, be sure to consider their expertise in both natural and off camera lighting techniques. Their ability to strike the ideal balance and create a harmonious blend will result in images that truly capture your essence and make your senior session an unforgettable experience. Plus, who doesn’t want to feel like a model for a day??