Want to create stunning portraits that feel authentic and alive? This is what natural light portrait photography is for. No bulky strobes, no elaborate studio setup—just you, your subject, and nature’s studio.
Sounds dreamy, right? But nailing that perfect shot with natural light isn’t always a walk in the park. It’s about understanding light, working with its nuances, and knowing a few tried-and-true tricks to make it all come together.
So, are you interested in putting the effort into mastering natural light portrait photography? This guide will walk you through 20 do’s and don’ts to make your portraits shine and look professional, even if you’re a total beginner.
Let’s dive into the heart of natural light photography!
Natural light portrait photography: The do’s
Using natural light for portrait photography is arguably the best option, but it comes with its quirks. Using it to your advantage takes practice, patience, and a little know-how.
Here’s what you should absolutely do to make your natural light portraits pop:
1. Seek the right light
Natural light comes in flavors—soft, harsh, warm, cool. Look for soft, diffused light, like what you find during golden hour or on overcast days. It wraps around your subject, creating flattering shadows.
Harsh midday light? Save it for another genre. But if you must shoot, then find shade or use natural reflectors like white walls.
2. Understand light direction
Where is the light coming from? In natural light portrait photography, understanding this is so crucial. The direction of light changes everything. Front lighting is even but can look flat.
Side lighting adds depth and drama, highlighting features. Backlighting creates a dreamy, glowing effect but needs careful exposure to avoid silhouettes. Play around to see what suits your subject best.
3. Pick ideal settings
Your camera settings are key. For natural light portrait photography, shoot in aperture priority mode or manual mode. Use a wide aperture (f/1.8 to f/4) to blur the background and keep the focus on your subject.
Pair this with a low ISO (100–400) for minimal noise and adjust your shutter speed to maintain a balanced exposure.
4. Choose a beautiful background
The background in your frame matters as much as your subject. Look for clean, simple ones that complement your subject without stealing the spotlight.
A leafy park or rustic wall? Yes. A cluttered street? Not so much. A busy background can make even a great portrait look messy.
5. Include a catchlight
That sparkle in the eyes? It’s called a catchlight, and it’s what brings life to your portrait. Position your subject so their eyes reflect a source of light—like the sun, a window, or even a white wall. Without it, natural light portraits can look dull or lifeless.
6. Interact with your subject
Natural expressions beat stiff poses any day. Chat with your subject, make them laugh, or let them move naturally.
The more relaxed they feel, the better your portraits will turn out. Comfort equals confidence when it comes to natural light portrait photography.
7. Shoot during peak expression
Candid moments—like a soft smile or a quick laugh—are gold. Be patient and ready to click when your subject looks most natural. Watch for that genuine laugh, quiet moment of reflection, or spark of excitement.
Timing is everything when capturing portraits in natural lighting, so be ready to press the shutter.
8. Use manual mode
Auto mode can’t read your creative mind. Switch to manual mode to have complete control over your settings. Yes, it’s a learning curve, but it’s worth it. Relying on automatic settings can lead to poorly exposed images.
Adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to suit the light conditions. This ensures that your subject’s face is always perfectly lit, even if the background changes.
9. Beware of colored reflections
Ever notice a green tint on your subject’s face when shooting near grass or a blue hue near water? Reflective surfaces can cast unwanted colors, which can ruin your natural light portrait photography.
Position your subject away from these, or use a reflector to balance out the tones.
10. Try backlighting
Backlighting can create ethereal portraits when done right. Position the sun behind your subject to achieve a halo effect, especially during the golden hour.
To avoid underexposing your subject, use spot metering to expose their face or add a reflector in front to bounce some light back onto them. Also, use a lens hood or your hand to avoid lens flare—or embrace it for a touch of whimsy.
11. Play with subject positioning
The way your subject interacts with light can transform your shot. Rotate them slowly to see how the light falls on their face.
Even a slight tilt of the chin or turn of the shoulders can dramatically improve the natural light portrait. So, don’t hesitate to experiment with positioning.
12. Adjust aperture for conditions
When photoshooting in bright sunlight, a wide aperture (like f/2.8) can result in overexposed highlights. In such cases, narrow it down to f/4 or f/5.6.
On cloudy days, go back to a wide aperture to make the subject stand out against the softer light.
13. Mind your ISO
In low-light conditions, it’s tempting to crank up your ISO. But too much ISO leads to grainy images. Instead, adjust shutter speed and aperture first, and only increase ISO as a last resort.
On sunny days, ISO 100–200 works beautifully. If you’re shooting in low light or during the blue hour, bump it up gradually if needed to avoid noise but still maintain detail. You can also use a steady hand (or a tripod) to help avoid unnecessary bumps in ISO.
14. Capture candid moments
Not every natural light portrait needs to be posed. Sometimes, the best shots happen when your subject is lost in thought or mid-laughter.
Stay alert and be prepared to capture those genuine, fleeting moments.
15. Encourage natural posing
Rigid posing often leads to awkward portraits. Instead, guide your subject to sit, stand, or move naturally. Have them walk, turn, or even play with their hair.
A casual pose often conveys more emotion and personality than a rehearsed one.
16. Use continuous shooting mode
Sometimes, the perfect expression lasts for a split second. Enable continuous shooting mode (burst mode) to take multiple photos quickly.
This increases your chances of nailing that perfect smile or sparkle in the eyes.
17. Adapt to changing light
Natural light isn’t static—it shifts with the time of day, weather, and your location. Stay flexible. When clouds roll in, adjust your settings.
When the light softens, reposition your subject. Adaptability is your greatest tool when shooting with natural light.
18. Focus on the eyes
The eyes are the soul of a portrait. Always ensure they’re in sharp focus as they draw the viewer in. Use single-point focus mode and place your focal point directly on the eyes.
If you’re working with a shallow depth of field, this becomes even more critical.
19. Modify light when needed
Sometimes, natural light needs a little help. Use reflectors to bounce light onto your subject’s face or diffusers to soften harsh sunlight.
A sheer white curtain or even a piece of cloth can serve as an excellent makeshift diffuser.
20. Sync your white balance
Ensure accurate color representation by adjusting white balance settings according to lighting conditions: daylight for bright sun, cloudy for overcast skies, etc., ensuring skin tones appear natural without unwanted color casts interfering with overall natural light portrait quality.
Natural light portrait photography: The don’ts
As much as there are things you should do in natural light portrait photography, there are also some pitfalls to avoid. These “don’ts” will help you sidestep common mistakes that can ruin an otherwise great shot. Let’s get into them!
1. Shooting in the harsh midday sun
Midday light is notoriously harsh. It casts unwanted shadows and washes out colors. Moreover, shooting portraits at noon often leads to squinting subjects and blown-out details.
So, it’s best to schedule shoots earlier or later in the day. If you must shoot during this time, find some open shade or use a diffuser to soften the light.
2. Overcrowding backgrounds
Your subject should be the focus in your natural light portrait photographs, not the cluttered scene behind them. Too many distractions in the background will steal focus and make your portrait look chaotic.
While natural settings are great, ensure the background complements rather than competes with the subject. A clean, minimal background with a soft bokeh works wonders.
3. Forgetting to meter for the face
Your subject’s face should be the highlight of your portrait. If you rely on your camera’s default metering, it might prioritize the entire scene, leaving the face underexposed or overexposed. Use spot metering to focus on the face to ensure perfect exposure.
4. Center-positioning the subject every time
The rule of thirds exists for a reason. Centering your subject in every frame can make your natural light portraits feel repetitive and lack creativity.
Experiment with the rule of thirds, or try placing your subject off-center for more dynamic compositions.
5. Depending solely on natural light
Natural light is not always perfect. Sometimes, a simple reflector or an off-camera flash can make all the difference.
For example, when backlighting your subject, a reflector can illuminate their face, balancing the exposure.
6. Over-editing portraits
Less is often more in natural light portrait photography. It’s tempting to go overboard with filters, skin smoothing, or color grading.
Unless you are professional at editing images with advanced post-production tools, it’s best to let a reputable image retouching company like Tech Cloud Ltd do it for you.
Professionals in image post-processing know how much to edit without making the image look inorganic.
7. Photoshooting without preparation
Winging it might work sometimes, but planning sets you up for success. Scout your location in advance, check the light at different times of day, and prepare your gear.
A little prep can save you a lot of frustration during the shoot.
8. Overwhelming your subject
Bombarding your subject with too many instructions can make them stiff and uncomfortable. Instead, guide them gently and give them space to relax and be themselves.
A comfortable subject makes for a better portrait every time.
9. Shooting too close to reflective surfaces
Reflective surfaces, like water, windows, or shiny objects, can cast unwanted light or colors onto your subject. These reflections can be distracting or unfavorable.
Keep an eye on your surroundings and adjust your shooting angle accordingly.
10. Ignoring inspection of the gears
Imagine capturing a perfect shot only to realize your lens is smudged or your battery is about to die. Always inspect your gear before heading out.
Clean your lens, format your memory cards, and pack spare batteries. A quick gear check can save you from preventable mishaps.
11. Sticking to just one angle
Shooting from a single angle can make your portraits look flat and predictable. Move around your subject, shoot from above, below, or the side, and experiment with perspectives.
Unique angles can add interest and depth to your photos.
12. Ignoring shadows
Shadows can add character, but they can also ruin a portrait if they’re too harsh or placed awkwardly.
Always check for distracting shadows on your subject’s face, especially from hats, hair, or nearby objects. If shadows are unavoidable, reposition your subject or modify the light.
13. Choosing flat lighting
Beginners in natural light portrait photography often make the mistake of using flat lighting. When light hits your subject evenly from the front, it will leave your photo with no shadows or depth.
While it’s easy to shoot in this setup, it can make your portrait look lifeless. Add dimension by using side lighting or creating subtle shadow play.
14. Purposeless shooting
Every click should have intent. Randomly snapping photos without considering the light, composition, or mood will lead to mediocre results.
Take a moment to assess your frame before pressing the shutter. Purpose drives creativity.
15. Forgetting composition rules
Ignoring composition basics, like the rule of thirds, can make your portraits feel unbalanced. While rules are meant to be broken creatively, you need to understand them first.
Use leading lines, balance, and framing to enhance your subject’s presence in your natural light portrait photography.
16. Overusing props
Props can enhance your story, but too many can overwhelm the subject. The focus should always remain on the person.
If you do use props, ensure they complement the portrait rather than steal the spotlight.
17. Overlooking posture
Slouched shoulders or awkward poses can make your subject look less confident. Always pay attention to their posture.
Gently guide them to stand or sit tall, relax their shoulders, and avoid overly rigid poses. A natural, confident posture makes a big difference.
18. Overexposing the portrait
Overexposing your natural light portrait can blow out highlights, especially in bright natural light. Check your histogram to ensure a balanced exposure, and keep highlights in check by using your camera’s highlight warning feature.
Adjust your settings to preserve detail in both highlights and shadows.
19. Being inflexible
Photography, especially outdoors, rarely goes exactly as planned. Light changes, the weather shifts, and sometimes, your subject has their own ideas.
Be adaptable and open to experimenting. Embrace the unpredictability of natural light—it often leads to unexpected magic.
20. Using the wrong lenses
Selecting the incorrect lens can lead to a distorted image or an inability to achieve the depth of field you want. Wide-angle lenses work wonderfully for landscapes, but they might not be the best choice for close-up portraits because of possible distortion.
Instead, consider using prime lenses with focal lengths ranging from 50mm to 85mm, as they offer pleasing perspectives and beautiful bokeh.
Understanding natural light for portraits
If you want to level up your natural light portrait photography, you need to understand the qualities of light. Natural light isn’t just about where it’s coming from; it’s also about how it behaves.
Once you learn to recognize these qualities, you’ll start using them to your advantage.
Soft light vs. hard Light
Natural soft lighting is ideal for capturing portraits. It provides a gentle, even glow that beautifully enhances skin tones and creates soft shadows. Imagine the soft illumination on a cloudy day or the warm light streaming in from a big window.
In contrast, hard light is more direct and produces stark contrasts. While it can add a dramatic flair, it may not always be the most flattering option if not used thoughtfully.
Golden hour vs. Blue hour
Golden hour, the time right after the sun rises and just before it sets, is a great time for capturing natural light portraits. The soft, warm glow beautifully highlights your subject while softening any harsh shadows.
In contrast, blue hour, which happens after sunset or before sunrise, provides cooler, more atmospheric tones. It’s perfect for creating portraits that exude a dramatic or enigmatic quality.
Want to know more about different natural lighting options for portraits? Check out our guide on the best time to take pictures outside.
Cloud coverage as a natural diffuser
Ever notice how everything looks softer on a cloudy day? That’s because clouds act as nature’s diffuser, spreading light evenly.
If you’re shooting in bright conditions, seek partial shade or wait for a passing cloud to soften the light.
Essential gear for natural light portrait photoshooting
While natural light portrait photography doesn’t demand fancy equipment, a few key tools can boost your photoshoot by helping you manipulate light effectively.
Here’s what we recommend for your outdoor shoots:
Reflectors
A reflector is a must-have tool for any natural light photographer. It’s affordable, lightweight, and can dramatically improve your portraits. Use it to bounce light onto your subject’s face, especially when shooting in backlight or shaded areas.
Reflectors come in different colors—white for neutral light, silver for brighter highlights, and gold for warm tones.
Diffusers
When shooting portraits in harsh sunlight, a diffuser can really come in handy. It softens direct light, reducing harsh shadows and bright highlights.
You can buy a collapsible diffuser or use a simple white cloth or translucent umbrella as a DIY solution.
Portable shades
Portable shades, like pop-up tents or large umbrellas, are great for creating controlled natural lighting conditions outdoors.
They let you create soft, even light for your subject, no matter where you’re shooting.
Optional extras
If you want even more control, consider adding tools like a tripod for stability, an external flash for fill light, or even ND filters to control exposure on bright days.
These extras aren’t essential for beginners in natural light portrait photoshooting, but they can give you more flexibility as you grow.
Common natural light portrait photoshooting challenges and solutions
Even in the best conditions, natural light portrait photography can throw some curveballs your way. But don’t worry—every challenge has a solution!
And overcoming them will make you a better photographer. Let’s tackle some common problems and how to handle them like a pro.
1. Bad weather
Weather is not a predictable thing. Rain, strong winds, or overcast skies can disrupt your shoot.
Solution: If it’s cloudy, embrace the soft light—it’s perfect for natural light portraits. For rain, seek cover under trees or porches, or bring a clear umbrella for a unique look. Always have a Plan B location in mind.
2. Harsh shadows
Direct sunlight often casts unflattering shadows, especially on the face.
Solution: Look for open shade or use a diffuser to soften the light. Position your subject so the sun isn’t directly overhead.
3. Subject blinking in every shot
Some subjects just can’t help but blink at the wrong time.
Solution: Use continuous shooting mode to capture a series of portrait shots. Chances are, at least one will have their eyes open. You can also ask them to close their eyes and open them on the count of three.
4. Changing light conditions
Outdoor light changes constantly due to clouds or the sun’s movement.
Solution: Keep an eye on your settings and modify your ISO, shutter speed, or aperture as needed. If the light shifts drastically, reposition your subject or wait for consistency.
5. Problematic backgrounds
Busy or cluttered backgrounds can ruin a portrait in natural lighting conditions.
Solution: Use a wide aperture (like f/2.8) to blur the background or move your subject to a cleaner spot.
6. Harsh reflections
Nearby surfaces like water, windows, or metal can reflect distracting light onto your subject.
Solution: Change your angle, reposition your subject, or use a polarizing filter to minimize reflections.
7. Windy conditions
Wind can mess up hair and clothing, making your subject look disheveled.
Solution: Secure loose strands with hairpins and ask your subject to turn their back to the wind. Use the movement creatively for dramatic effects if it suits the mood.
8. Squinting from bright light
Direct sunlight can make your subject squint and look uncomfortable.
Solution: Position subjects out of direct sunlight and use a reflector to direct light onto their faces. Alternatively, shoot during the golden hour when sunlight is softer.
9. Limited shooting time
The golden hour doesn’t last forever, and you may feel rushed.
Solution: Plan ahead. Arrive early, set up quickly, and shoot efficiently. Prioritize your key shots and work fast.
10. Shadows on the face from accessories
Hats or glasses can create unwanted shadows or reflections.
Solution: Adjust your subject’s accessories or reposition the light source. Use a reflector to fill in shadows or change their pose slightly.
In Conclusion
Getting skilled at natural light portrait photography takes patience, practice, and some creativity. The beauty of working with natural light is its unpredictability—it keeps things exciting and forces you to think on your feet.
Now it’s your turn to put these tips into action! Start playing with light, shadows, and angles. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Just keep practicing.
Looking for more tips? Check out our blog archives for deeper dives into photography tips and techniques. Happy shooting!
