Worried About Bright Sun? Here's 5 Ways How Expert Wedding Photographers Get Amazing Shots

As a wedding photographer, you dream of capturing those soft, golden hour moments that bathe your couples in a romantic glow. But let's face it, wedding days rarely adhere perfectly to the ideal lighting schedule. The reality often involves navigating the challenges of harsh, midday sun – the kind that threatens unflattering shadows and those dreaded "raccoon eyes." Being a wedding photographer in the Hunter Valley, I'm experienced in navigating the diverse lighting conditions our region presents.

While backlighting can offer a beautiful solution when the sun is behind your subjects, even then, uneven light can creep in if the light is too harsh. And when the sun is directly overhead, the lack of shadows can flatten your images, robbing them of depth and dimension.

What do you do when you have harsh sunlight directly overhead though?

1. Seek the Sanctuary of Shade

This is often the most straightforward and effective way to diffuse harsh sunlight. Look for natural or architectural elements that can provide soft, even shade.

• Under Trees - The dappled light filtering through leaves can create a romantic and whimsical atmosphere. Position your couple carefully to avoid harsh sunspots on their faces.
• Within Buildings or Covered Areas - Porches, gazebos and even the shadows cast by buildings can offer a welcome reprieve from direct sunlight. These locations often provide interesting backdrops as well.
• Natural Overhangs - Rock formations, cliffs or even large natural objects can act as natural umbrellas, providing shade and unique framing opportunities.

By placing your couple in shade, you instantly soften the light, eliminate harsh shadows and create a more even and flattering illumination on their faces.

2. Employ the Power of the Reflector (with an Assistant Advantage)

A large reflector can be a game-changer when dealing with overhead sun, especially for close-up portraits.

Overhead Diffusion - With the help of an assistant, position a large, translucent reflector directly above your couple. This effectively turns the harsh sunlight into a large, soft light source, mimicking the effect of an overcast day. This is particularly effective for bust and face portraits, providing even and beautiful skin tones.

While this technique often requires an assistant, the results in terms of even lighting and control over shadows are well worth it.

3. Embrace the Timelessness of Black and White

When faced with harsh, direct sunlight that creates challenging shadows, consider the artistic choice of converting the image to black and white.

Transforming Harsh Light into Dramatic Contrast - Strong sunlight often produces high contrast with deep shadows and bright highlights. In color, this can emphasise unflattering shadows and uneven skin tones. However, converting the image to black and white can transform this high contrast into a dramatic and artistic aesthetic. The stark interplay of light and shadow can become a powerful visual element, adding depth and mood to the photograph. This approach can be particularly effective for capturing candid moments or architectural details within the scene.

This alternative strategy offers a creative way to deal with harsh light in post-processing, focusing on the artistic potential rather than trying to mitigate the light during the shoot.

4. Embrace the Boldness of Direct Light (Artistically)

Sometimes, instead of fighting the harsh light, you can choose to lean into it for a dramatic and artistic effect.

Eyes Closed, Faces to the Sky - Have your couple tilt their heads slightly upwards with their eyes gently closed. The direct sunlight can create interesting highlights and a sense of peacefulness. This is a more stylized approach and might not be suitable for every shot, but it can add a unique touch to your gallery.

Faces to the ground - Doing the complete opposite can also help here! By having your couples faces away from the sun, there won't be uneven lighting. Bonus tips here include:

• You can lay on the ground to get an interesting angle from below of the happy couple's faces
• Placing the couple in the lower third of the photo with camera positioned just below or in line with their jawlines and having the background be stark rough texture or architecture, including historic buildings and charming wineries in the Hunter Valley, in the other two thirds of the photo will make it very deliberate and artistic

This technique requires careful posing and communication with your couple to ensure they are comfortable.

5. Change Your Perspective - Ground Level Magic

When all else fails, consider changing your shooting angle dramatically.

Lying Down for Even Light - Have your couple lie down on the ground. Suddenly, the lighting on their faces becomes much more even as they are no longer directly under the overhead sun. This can also create unique and intimate compositions.

Ensure the ground is clean and comfortable for your couple. This technique can lead to beautiful, unexpected portraits.