Beautiful Backlight

A backlit portrait captured with natural light in the studio’s Bay window covered with sheer curtains is a beautiful and dreamy setting.

Backlight is a favorite technique that is incorporated into most of the studio’s portrait sessions because clients adore what they often refer to as “ethereal” light. And the magical light does look like a little bit of heaven here on earth.

There are two primary ways that backlight portraits are captured in the studio. The first is to place you, my muse, in front of a window that is covered in sheer curtains. The second option is to use a large studio light, which is perfect for generating a stronger pop of light. The studio strobe is sometimes necessary on cloudy or rainy days when window light might be too weak to create a good exposure.

This backlight portrait was created by placing a studio strobe behind a white sheet.

Gorgeous backlight flatters everyone. You can be partially or fully clothed, or placed between the sheer curtains for an altogether different, artistic effect.

Strategic draping allows you to show as much or as little as you desire based upon your comfort level.

And, even though we tend to photograph lighter colors on lighter backgrounds you can successfully choose to be photographed in darker colors against the backlight.

We captured this portrait of Beth during her photoshoot as a participant for the first round of the Wise Women: The 50 Over 50 Experience. It turned out to be one of her all time favorite portraits of herself and it was “this close” to being her featured wall art at the Portrait Gala. If you are a woman aged 50+ located in Southern Arizona please consider participating. Check out the 2024 application by clicking here. Take it from us, it’s fun to add an intimate portrait set to any portrait session.

Same backlight, different styling. Sometimes we like to capture a photograph during an intimate portraits session that can be used as a profile picture, such as the luminous capture on the right.

“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” –Maya Angelou