A lot of natural light photographers feel hesitant about adding strobes and flash to their photography business. They worry it will look too “flashy” or unnatural, or be too complicated. I’m here to help you feel comfortable and confident incorporating artificial light into your work!
Why Artificial Light Feels Intimidating (and Why It Doesn’t Have To)
There’s a misconception that artificial light is always harsh or unnatural. But did you know: ALL of my work is created using strobes and flash? For 25+ years, I’ve been on a quest to show photographers that artificial light can be beautiful, and you (yes, you!) can learn to create natural looking light using strobes and flash.
Many of my students have told me that the reason they stuck with my course was because I made using artificial light simple and approachable. Rather than using a complicated setup, with multiple lights and modifiers, the Sandra Coan Method uses one light and one umbrella. That’s it!
The reality: Light is light—it’s all about how you shape and control it.
Building a Confident Mindset
A lot of photographers are worried that if they add strobes and flash to their work, they’ll suddenly have to become a studio photographer. Or a photographer that always uses artificial light. That’s not the case though! I work with a lot of photographers (especially in my Certification program) who use artificial light to complement their natural light work, not replace it.
Artificial light can give you more consistency, more flexibility, and more control over your work. No more worrying about the weather, or hoping your client has a big bank of windows in their living room!
Practical Steps to Build Confidence with Artificial Lighting
Start small: my entire business is built on using one light and one umbrella, and hundreds of other photographers have done the same!
Experiment: not everyone needs to shoot the same way I do! I’ve had students use the 7′ shoot-thru umbrella like I do, but others have transitioned to beauty dishes, bouncing a strobe off a ceiling in client homes, or adding a smaller modifier for hospital newborn sessions.
Practice makes perfect: the most successful students I’ve had have spent the time learning their gear, and how to use it in different situations they may encounter. Are you a newborn photographer who goes into client homes? Use a baby doll in various rooms in your house to test out new techniques! Are you a kid’s sports photographer who wants to be able to photograph baseball teams at high noon? Test out your lights in your backyard.
Embracing Artificial Light with Confidence
Learning how to use strobes and flash can take practice and time. But I’m here to make the journey easier! My courses on lighting are based on my 25+ year career as a family, maternity, and newborn photographer, as well as industry educator. They’re approachable and easy to understand, for everyone from beginners to experts.
The Missing Link: a great resource for all family and newborn photographers, but especially those who are considering (or already have) studio space
Lighting on Location: a new course for all family and newborn photographers who work on location, in client homes.
For photographers who are looking for the next step in their business, I recommend applying to the Sandra Coan Certification program! Hop on a video call with me – I would love to chat with you, and help you figure out if the Certification program is right for you!
