6 tips for mastering outdoor family portrait lighting

When it comes to family portraits, the magic isn’t just in the smiles—it’s in the light. Any shoots that involve small children can be hectic and often chaotic, and you are often just trying to get them to do anything along the lines that you want. The lighting often becomes an afterthought.

However, if you can nail the lighting and technical aspects, you can concentrate on creating natural, beautiful photos of the children and their caregivers. In this video, portrait photographer Michelle Santano teams up with Westcott Top Pro and shares her expert insights into scouting outdoor locations and mastering lighting for those perfect shots.

Scouting locations

The first step in planning a family portrait session outdoors is location scouting. Santano emphasizes the importance of understanding how light will interact with your chosen spot. “I always consider where the sun will be in about an hour and a half to two hours from the time I’m scouting,” she says.

This allows her to predict the lighting conditions during the shoot, whether it’s the gentle backlighting of the early morning or the harsh overhead sun at midday.

Understanding light direction

The direction of light is crucial. Santano advises looking for areas where natural light can be used effectively. “If it’s midday and the sun is high, I’ll search for shaded areas that offer directional lighting,” she explains. In challenging lighting conditions, such as harsh overhead sunlight, Santano uses external strobe lighting, such as the Westcott FJ400 with a modifier, to ensure her subjects are well-lit without deep shadows or harsh contrasts.

Emphasizing background texture and depth

Santano’s approach to backgrounds goes beyond simply finding a pretty scene. Instead, she focuses on texture, colour, and depth. “When I’m shooting with wide-open apertures, I want the background to become a creamy, dreamy blur—it’s more about the texture and light coming through than the actual scenery,” she notes. This technique creates a soft, out-of-focus background that highlights the subjects while adding depth to the overall image.

Foreground, middle ground, and background

When scouting a location, Santano looks for areas that offer distinct layers: foreground, middle ground, and background. “For example, I found a spot with beautifully lit grass in the foreground, shadows in the middle ground where I place my subjects, and a textured background,” she explains.

This layered composition creates a dynamic and visually appealing image, drawing the viewer’s eye naturally through the scene. Train your eye to see locations in this way with these layers, and your photos will immediately become more dynamic.

Adapting to changing conditions

Outdoor shoots come with unpredictable elements, like shifting sunlight or even unexpected rain. But let’s be honest, it’s this unpredictability that also makes them fun! Santano highlights the importance of being adaptable.

She often scouts locations with multiple shooting options, including covered areas that can serve as outdoor studios. “Finding a covered shade pavilion was a game-changer,” she says. “It provided four different backgrounds, and it’s perfect for those midday shoots when the sun is harsh or even if it starts raining.”

The importance of posing and interaction

Lighting and location are just part of the equation—posing and engaging with the family are equally important. Santano advises building poses gradually, starting with one subject and then adding others. “I prefer to stay in one location and do various groupings so that all the images have a cohesive look,” she explains. Her approach to posing is dynamic, often making slight adjustments to ensure natural interactions and balanced compositions.

When working with children, Santano uses a lighthearted approach to elicit genuine expressions. “Kids can get self-conscious in front of the camera, so I talk to them, ask about their favourite sports, or just say silly things,” she shares. This relaxed attitude helps to capture authentic smiles and expressions, which are the heart of any family portrait.

Technical tips for outdoor portrait lighting

Santano shares her camera settings and lighting techniques. She often shoots with a Canon EOS R6 and a 135mm lens, using a low ISO and a wide aperture of f/2.8 for that creamy background effect. “I like to meter the light for the background first and then adjust the strobe to properly expose the subject,” she says. Using a light meter, she ensures her strobe settings are just right, often dialling back the light to avoid overly dramatic shadows.

Santano also prefers using a tripod during her shoots. “It keeps everything consistent, especially when I need to swap a head in post-production,” she explains. A tripod allows her to maintain a steady composition, freeing her to focus on engaging with the family and capturing those perfect moments.

Creating timeless portraits

Michelle Santano’s approach combines technical knowledge with a deep understanding of how to make families feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera.

Lighting family portraits outdoors is an art that requires careful planning, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. By mastering light direction, texture, and composition, and by engaging with your subjects, you can create images that families will cherish for years.