Our 9 Best Outdoor Wedding Photography Tips (Including Night and Lighting)
Today we’re sharing our 9 best outdoor wedding photography tips for day or night. Whether you’re planning an outdoor wedding or photographing one, it’s important to be one with the elements. We’ve been professional photographers for over a decade and are sharing that experience. Initially, this post started with a few tips for shooting stunning outdoor wedding photos but after a few updates, it’s evolved into a comprehensive guide. Outdoor weddings can become your favorite thing to shoot if you’re ready to control the controllable and prepare for the rest.
The following topics are a comprehensive guide to get you started taking better outdoor wedding photos:
| Topic | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Mid-day Sun | Seeking shade and managing harsh light |
| Sun Direction | Backlighting and highlight exposure |
| Composition | Depth of field and foreground elements |
| Environment | Powerlines, distractions, and elements |
| Technical | Dynamic range and lighting tips |
Battling the Mid-day Sun (Seek Shade)
One of the biggest challenges of photographing an outdoor wedding is the lack of control over the light. Unless you want images of people squinting or dark circles under their eyes from the sun shining down on the top of their heads, you’re going to have to make an effort to overcome this challenge. My first instinct with outdoor photos is to find some shade. This can be a big oak tree, the edge of a dense forest, or the side of a building.
Shade gives you soft light but is often quite restrictive on which direction and where you can shoot. You also have to consider that when you expose for people in shade, sunny backdrops will get blown out. Make sure your exposure is accurate and you’re not trying to put bright and dark elements in the same frame. Bottom line, if it works, go for the shade. This is usually the simplest and quickest solution.
Controlling the Direction of the Sun
Secondly, I would suggest angling your outdoor wedding clients so that the sun is behind them. The last strategy I employ is to angle my clients so the sun shines directly on them (or slightly off angle) and expose for the highlights. It can create a dramatic look and it works well if you want to show a lot of the backdrop. That is often the case for outdoor wedding photos.
Advanced Lighting and Flash
The third option is to overpower the sun. You can darken your ambient exposure to knock down the highlights. Then add in off-camera flash to fill in the subjects. This can create nice light on the bride and groom but is often slow and cumbersome. It takes time to get the light positioned correctly and the exposure balanced. However, it does require that you have several flashes with you (overpowering the sun is almost impossible if you only have one speedlight). We love using the Godox AD200 as a more powerful lighting option!
Essential Planning and Technical Tips
- Timeline Adjustments: Consider simple (but effective) timeline adjustments for better outdoor wedding photos.
- Distractions: Knock down powerlines and other distractions.
- Preparation: Dress for the elements and stay light and mobile.
- Composition: Include some foreground to add depth to your images.
- Technical: Understand your camera settings guide, dynamic range, and exposing for the highlights.