Natural light is beautiful. Like others, I was drawn to photography because I love light. I love the way it creates emotion and drama. The way it can create joy and peace, even in the simplest of settings. As humans, we crave the sunlight, looking forward to the long, sunny days of summer to instantly brighten our mood.
But the problem?
Natural light is unpredictable. Even the most seasoned natural light photographers have had situations that have put them to the test. A foggy day when you were expecting sun. A client home where the nursery is located in the basement, with only one tiny window.
It can be incredibly frustrating to have to rely only on natural light to run your business! No one wants to have to constantly reschedule sessions, or (even worse) turn down work because you know the weather won’t cooperate.
How do you know if you’re ready to add strobes and flash into your photography business? Keep reading!
1) You’re Constantly Rescheduling Sessions Due to Weather
Is the most used app on your phone your weather app? Are you stepping out from family duties so you can check the rain forecast for tonight’s session? Have you considered switching careers to meteorology, because at this point you know more about the weather than ALL your friends and family?
One of the photographers in my Certification program recently shared in the Facebook group that she had to cancel a family session booking due to the weather. The family was getting ready to move, and was celebrating their time in the current home by scheduling a family session in the weeks before they left. Unfortunately, spring can be a very fickle time for photos, and rainstorm after rainstorm pushed the family session closer and closer to move date. Eventually the family made the call to cancel the session.
2) Your Portfolio Lacks Consistency Across Seasons
One of the most common issues I see with photographers is a lack of consistency in their portfolio. Not only do they struggle to have consistent work outdoors and indoors, they have a hard time keeping their work consistent throughout the year. Neon green grass in spring, cold and dark winter sessions, interspersed with bright and sunny summer sessions.
Your clients don’t want to roll the dice and hope for the best when hiring a photographer. The reason they hired you is the work on your website, and if you can’t produce that work without the perfect natural light, both you and your client are going to be disappointed.
My clients hire me for my “natural” light, which can be produced on even the darkest Seattle winter evenings!
3) You Feel Limited by Location Restrictions
Do you have clients asking for in-home family or newborn sessions, but you only photograph clients outdoors? Are you tired of photographing at the same locations, day after day, month after month, because you aren’t sure you can get the same great light somewhere else?
Your work shouldn’t be dictated by your location. Some of the best photographers I know shoot all over the world, from deserts to castles, and yet their work looks consistent from location to location.
Read the following from one of my Lighting on Location students:
“It sounds silly, but learning how to use artificial light on location has changed my business! I no longer have to worry that my clients’ homes will have enough windows, or that it will be sunny outside. My newborn work is more consistent from session to session, and a million times faster to edit. Despite having 8+ years experience as a natural light photographer, now I find myself using strobes in client homes even when I could I use natural light!” – Liz
4) You’re Turning Down Lucrative Winter Bookings
Unfortunately, it can be extremely hard to make it as a full-time photographer, and only work from May through October, while the weather is nice. To replace a full-time income, you need to be able to work during the winter, despite the less-than-stellar weather outside.
Winter is a great time to book newborn sessions, mini sessions, school photography work, and in-home family sessions!
5) You Feel Creatively Stagnant in Your Photography
This is my favorite reason to add in artificial light! I’ve worked with hundreds of experienced family and newborn photographers, and none of them have regretted adding the ability to use strobes and flash to their business.
Have you always been a newborn and family photographer, but headshot or branding photography sounds kind of fun? Have you considered adding Fresh 48 sessions to your newborn packages, but aren’t sure how to deal with inconsistent light in hospital rooms?
Even if you aren’t pursuing a new genre, learning a new skill will be a huge boost to your confidence. And as we all know, increased confidence tends to lead to increased inquiries!
What Next?
Just because you’re a natural light photographer, doesn’t mean you can’t add strobes and flash to your skillset! I’ve worked with hundreds of natural light photographers who have continued to primarily work as that, adding in artificial light when needed (boosting their bottom line!).
Does learning strobes and flash sound like it might be a good fit for you and your photography business? I suggest the following courses:
The Missing Link: Perfect for family, newborn and maternity photographers who are studio photographers.
Lighting on Location: New for 2025! Are you a newborn or family photographer who primarily works in client homes? This is a great educational resource for adding artificial light to your camera bag!
Are you wanting to learn *everything* you can about natural and artificial light? And want to take your business to the next level? I recommend applying to be a Sandra Coan Certified photographer! In this program, I will help you create a consistent portfolio, and master light and posing.
