No, I’m not talking about Star Wars or the fight for your soul. I’m referring to different styles of photography. You can find both light and bright photos and dark, moodier photos on Instagram and the web. I personally like both, but after talking with clients and friends, it seems like people often fall for one style or the other.

I love lowlight photos where the subject is the main focus and the rest of the “distractions” of the photo are minimized by being in the dark. It simplifies composition, especially when you are doing documentary family photography and have no control of the background. You frequently see this style in photojournalism. Darkness also evokes quiet, contemplation and adoration.

Examples of Lowlight Photos

Light and bright photography is perfect for kid portraiture. It’s whimsical, fun and innocent. This style is often used with newborns and lifestyle family photos taken outside.

Examples of Light and Bright Photos

What clients might not realize is that the portrait session environment and lighting plus the subjects’ personalities and interactions often are what inspires my camera settings and style of photos. If you have a preference, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help plan your portrait session accordingly.