Let’s be honest: light is the "make or break" element of every single photo you take. 📸 The word photography literally means “painting with light,” but sometimes it feels more like wrestling with it!

If you’ve ever ended up with photos that are way too dark, or faces that are glowing like a lightbulb while the background disappears into blackness, you aren't alone. Today, I'm sharing 5 super simple secrets to help you master natural light so you can start getting those bright, airy, and professional-looking shots you’ve been dreaming of! ✨

1. Think Light First, Location Second 💡

When you walk into a room or arrive at a park, your instinct is probably to look for a pretty background. Stop right there! 🛑

From now on, I want you to look for the light first. Is it soft? Is it harsh? Where is it coming from? A "boring" wall with incredible light will always beat a "stunning" location with terrible light. If the light doesn't look good to your eyes, it won't look good to your sensor!

2. Face the Window (But Watch the Sun!) 🪟

For indoor shots, windows are your best friend—they are basically giant, free softboxes! To get that classic glow, have your subject face directly toward the window.

Pro Tip: Make sure the sun isn't streaming directly onto them. You want that soft, ambient glow, not harsh "hot spots" on their forehead. If it's too bright, just move them a few feet back! If you're struggling with settings indoors, check out my guide on indoor camera settings for a little extra help. 🏠

3. Chase the Catchlights 👁️

You know that little "sparkle" in someone's eyes that makes them look alive and full of soul? Those are called catchlights!

If your subject's eyes look dark or "dead," they aren't getting enough light on their face. Have them turn their head slowly toward the light source until you see those little white dots appear in their pupils. It’s like magic! ✨ This is especially important when you are using open shade photography to keep things looking vibrant.

4. Avoid the "High Noon" Harshess ☀️

I know, I know... the middle of the day is when everyone is usually out and about. But that overhead sun is a portrait killer! It creates those dreaded "raccoon eyes" and unflattering shadows under the nose. 🦝

If you have to shoot at noon, look for shade! Or, if you're feeling brave, try backlighting your subject to keep their face in even shadow while the sun creates a beautiful rim of light around their hair.

5. Stop Mixing Your Light Sources! 🚫🏮

This is a huge one for indoor photography! If you have natural light coming in from a window but you leave your overhead house lights or lamps on, you are mixing "temperatures."

Window light is cool (blue), and lightbulbs are usually warm (orange). When you mix them, your camera gets confused, and you’ll end up with one side of a face looking blue and the other looking yellow. The fix? Turn off the indoor lights and let the window light do all the work! 💡➡️❌

Bonus Tip: Ditch the Auto White Balance 🎨

Your camera is smart, but it's not that smart. Often, it will try to "correct" natural light and end up making your photos look way too blue or sickly orange.

Don't be afraid to take control! Switching to a manual white balance (like the "Cloudy" or "Shade" preset) can instantly warm up your images and give you that creamy skin tone you’re after. If you've already taken the shot and it looks a bit "off," don't panic—you can fix it with these 6 easy and essential edits in Lightroom. 💻

Ready to ditch the guesswork?

Natural light is a game-changer, but it works even better when you know how to tell your camera exactly what to do with it.

If you're ready to stop "hoping" for a good shot and start knowing how to get one, grab my Manual Mode Settings Cheat Sheet. It’s the perfect companion for your next weekend shoot! 📸✨