Today I'm going to outline my top practices for achieving gorgeous light and airy photos! Good photos don't happen by accident, and there are a few key strategies I use every photoshoot so your pictures turn out as light-filled and dreamy as possible!
We take your photos early in the evening.
When the sun is higher in the sky, your photos are going to turn out naturally brighter. Make sense, right? The key here is I take photos before the sun gets too low, so about an hour and a half to two hours before sunset.
Photos taken right at sunset (while beautiful) will not give you the brilliant sun rays that are paramount for the light and airy style. Early evening (even late afternoon depending on the season) are the optimal times to shoot.
It's a win-win for everybody since kiddos will still be happy and lively earlier in the evening!
I position you opposite to the sun during our session.
When I position the sun behind you, it does TWO amazing things:
- You get gorgeous rays of sun coming from behind you, that give you an angelic halo effect (adding to that dreamy vibe).
- The background is naturally lighter than the foreground (you and the fam!)
When the background is brighter than you, that's truly where the light and airy aesthetic comes through.
And bonus points, you guys don't have to face the sun-- woohoo!
We choose light & airy outfits for the whole fam.
Outfit styling is so key to light and airy photos.
If you look at the photo above, Mom and baby are wearing light, neutral dresses.
Now, imagine both Mom and baby are wearing dark black. That would change the whole aesthetic of the photo, right? You would see the black clothing before the joy on their faces, and aesthetically, it would have too much contrast.
When your outfits are lighter and pastel, you get a more dreamy, natural look!
I send an outfit guide to every one of my families so that you feel confident picking out outfits for the whole fam that align with the timeless, light-filled photos you want.
A few quick and helpful tips:
-Opt for lighter, subtle colors (think: white, cream, beige, pastel pink, baby blue, sage green, etc)
-Textured fabrics like cotton linens add movement, variety, and warmth
-Subtle, pastel patterns add fun visual interest without stealing the focus of the photo
I edit the photos to craft light-filled, true-to-life color & creamy skin tones.
Editing is the "secret sauce" that brings the light and airy look all together!
Using an editing program like Lightroom CC requires years of practice with curves, knowing the ins and outs of whites, highlights, midtones, shadows, blacks, and more to create images that burst with eye-catching color.
I have a signature process that helps me achieve that beautiful look every time-- with the last step being my favorite! I won't elaborate too much here since it is my secret sauce, but just know it makes a world of a difference from raw to final image.
Conclusion
Hopefully this post gave you a bit of insight on how I achieve my light and airy style of photography!
If you're a local mama, I would love to be your family photographer in Roseville CA and take some light and airy portraits for your family to cherish!
And if you are looking for a Roseville maternity photographer, I also offer studio and outdoor maternity photo shoots to document your growing bump.
Sydney Brooke Photography is a family photographer in Roseville CA offering timeless photographs for parents who value documenting joyful connection with their little ones. Specializing in family portraits in Roseville, Sydney also offers lifestyle newborn and maternity photography for growing families. SBP serves Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis, Lincoln, and Granite Bay area families.
If you are looking for Roseville family photography, I would love to serve your family next!
