For years, I told everyone around me that I just “preferred natural light”. And I told myself that I didn’t like the look of flash. It was too harsh, too bright, and only worked for headshots and commercial photographers.
The reality? I was terrified.
I tried dipping my toes into the world of artificial light.
I picked up a speedlight and tried to watch some YouTube videos.
Everything I produced was flashy and shiny, and I couldn’t figure out how to fix it. To be honest, I felt like an idiot. It was a lost cause, and clearly strobes and flash were meant to be used by “Real Photographers”, who did Important “Professional Work” (and were mostly men, if I’m being honest). I was a self taught MWAC, photographing people at the park, so it didn’t really matter anyway.
I tried to make it work
I avoided flash for 5+ years.
I cranked my ISO, and figured out how to work around my limitations.
I turned down jobs I knew needed flash, and would find ways to avoid using a light during sessions, even if it were desperately needed.
I told myself that if I were “a better photographer”, I would be able to make this natural light photographer thing work, and it wouldn’t be so hard and anxiety producing.
I needed help
Then last fall, I signed up for Sandra Coan Certification.
I had taken classes from Sandra in the past, and really clicked with her approachable way of teaching. At this point, I had a profitable photography business, photography work that was beautiful and consistent, but I was still absolutely terrified of using strobes and flash, and I knew I needed help.
One year later?
I’m now a Sandra Coan Certified Photographer, and I am a completely different person than when I started this program.
Do I still use natural light in the vast majority of my sessions? Yes! But can I walk into any room, with zero notice, and confidently get my strobe set up to get the images I want.
I can mix natural and artificial light in my work – even in the same session – without missing a beat.
I can actually *feel* and understand what I’m doing, rather than trying to replicate what someone told me on a YouTube video.
What I’ve learned
While Certification is marketed as class on strobes and flash, for me it was a class on light. It taught me the technicalities behind light, but also how to be brave and play with light. My natural light work is the best it’s ever been, thanks to the Certification course.
What I’ve gained
The community around Certification is one of the most down to earth and kind photographer communities I’ve ever been in.
I can truly say I have made lifelong friends, thanks to this program.
I’ve gotten to cheer others on when they’re feeling frustrated, and walk them through when they’re struggling.
I’ve discussed the tenuous balance of motherhood and self-employment, the pain of not always fitting in, and cried about my kids growing up.
I’ve watched other talented photographers grow from a place of uncertainty, to becoming fierce defenders of their light and style.
So my advice? Take the leap. Apply for Sandra Coan Certification. I promise it’s worth it.
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Liz Putnam is a Sandra Coan Certified newborn and family photographer based in Cheyenne, WY
See more of here work here: https://lizputnam.com
Follow her on Instragram, here: https://www.instagram.com/liz_putnam_
