Natural Light Portraits

Indoors — find the window

• Light sources: windows, doorways, sliding doors, window bays, open garage doors. Bigger opening = softer light.
• Reflector: a white card or reflector bounced back into the shadow side tames hard, direct window light.
• Camera: Aperture Priority (A) or Manual (M). f/1.8–f/5.6 for one or two people, f/5.6–f/11 for groups.
• ISO: start at ISO 100 and check the meter — if the shutter falls to 1/125 s or slower, raise ISO or use a tripod.
• Focus: the eye nearest the camera. Lock, then recompose (or use Eye AF with Flexible Spot as backup).

Two window positions

• Facing the light — even illumination, features softened. Flattering and safe.
• Angled to the light — model-like mood, features stand out. Usually needs a reflector to lift the shadow side.

Outdoors — the light window

The best outdoor light runs from 30 minutes before sunset until 45 minutes after. Sunrise is a much shorter opportunity — about 20 minutes. For families, aim for 45 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after.

Where to put the subject

	Individual	Group
Aperture	Wide — get close, background blurred	f/5.6–f/11
Position	Open shade, or sun behind them + reflector or fill flash	Whole group in shade, or sun behind + fill flash
Focus	Nearest eye	Front row eyes, check the back row

Lens choice

Longer focal length, filling the frame. Ultra-wide lenses distort the edges of the frame — very visible with people near the corners.

Finding catchlights

A portrait without a catchlight looks dead. Look for contrast in the light, then place the subject at: a window, an archway, a doorway, or the edge of open shade. Each of these is a bright rectangle of sky that the eye can reflect.

Consolidated from references: Photzy Indoor Natural Light, Outdoor Natural Light, Planning a Family Portrait Session; How to find Catchlights.