How to Use Ideal Lighting to Get the Best Wedding Photos

In over 100 weddings now, there’s one thing that will truly make my heart hurt while photographing your wedding day. I’ll watch the best light of the day (sunset) used for things like seating guests while the worst light of the day is used for most couple’s favorite photos, the bride and groom’s wedding portraits. 

With experience using all types of lighting, I know we’ll still get everything we need regardless of the time of day. But I know just how magical soft light is for portrait photography and I always want my couples to have the very best images they can possibly get from their wedding day

Flashlight or TikTok filter?

So why do I love the softer evening light? Well think of it this way: have you sat around a campfire as someone tried to spook you while shining a flashlight up their nose? They look kinda terrible in that light, don’t they? It exaggerates every line, eye bag and blemish. It’s harsh, contrasty, and unflattering.

When the sun is straight overhead, It’s harsh, highly contrasty, and less flattering. We’re more limited to how we use a space as I will need to leverage backlighting to avoid having the sun directly in your eyes. And bright sunlight bouncing off of green grass will lend a green color cast to your skin.

Again, all things an experienced professional knows how to work around, but we all know that workarounds are just that- making the best of something that’s less than idea.

Using sunset light, on the other hand, is like using a TikTok filter that makes your skin look amazing and smooth (I call it the “pretty filter”). Because the light is softer, more directional, diffused, and warm. It’s more flattering to your skin tone, making it look healthy and golden.

Prioritize your lighting

So how can you take the most important photos at the best time of day? Prioritize your timeline around your photos.

Use the best light for the most enduring photos. It’s really that simple. Rather than having lots and lots of photos when the light is high overhead and harsh, I’d rather provide clients with some really great photos when the light is at its best. The golden light of sunset instantly up-levels the quality of your photo.

Putting it into Practice

So what’s my recommendation? Be strategic with how you schedule time for photos.

For couples photos, setting aside 15 min at sunset may be better than a full hour at high noon. With flattering lighting, we have much more freedom with how we can use a particular location for photos and the technical limits of where we can place you or which setting will work are much more relaxed so we’re free to focus more on strategic direction and authentic interaction than finding a suitable spot.

While every wedding is unique, I recommend planning your ceremony for roughly 2-3 hours before sunset so you have at least more directional light for your ceremony. Whether you choose a first look or not, plan to make some time for your couple’s photos after your ceremony as well.

As photographers, light is our muse. The better the light, the better you’ll look and the more you’ll cherish your photos for years to come!