Light is perhaps the least-considered aspect of wedding planning, and yet it has such a huge impact on your photos.
One really great thing you can do is choose your spaces with light in mind. Look for rooms that are bright when all of the lights are off. That’s the space to use, especially for the prep photos. Cottages and inns often have great windows that let tons of light in, so have a look for B&Bs in your area.
I try not to use flash wherever possible (receptions/anything after dark being key exceptions). I like natural light – most of the time. I DON’T like natural light when it mixes with fluorescent or tungsten (regular bulb) light to create really weird skin tones. I don’t like natural light when the sun is straight overhead and we have no shade, so you end up with nose-shadow moustaches or extra-dark eye sockets (or, better yet, both). I don’t like natural light when there simply isn’t any. :) So help me out: find some light so I can get you some great portraits. Twinkle lights, big windows, well-placed mirrors, lots of candles – each one of these can add interesting light to your photos.
Your photographer shouldn’t run your wedding day, but if you work with that person to offer the best possible options, you’re going to get the best possible results. Portraits at high noon with no shade or in a basement classroom in your church are NOT going to be my best work, so let’s get talking about your options for timings when you’re still in the early stages of planning. Do you love that ethereal glow in sunset photos? Talk to your photographer about that and figure out if you’re willing to sneak out of your reception about 60 minutes before sunset (even if it’s only for 10 minutes!).
To read about my final important element of any wedding, click here.
I’m Ang – a Cornwall, Ontario-based photographer with a passion for finding light and documenting real life for families in Cornwall, Ottawa, Montreal, and around the world.
