Let The Light Shine In A Queen Creek Olive Mill Newborn Shoot

This title is surely a pun on words! Let the Light Shine In! Today I’m talking about how to shoot the best newborn photos using natural and diffused light. This shoot we shot outside at the Queen Creek Olive Mill But also is there more metaphorically light shiny than the beauty and love a newborn babe brings into our lives????? even when we are under-slept? lol.

The BEST newborn photos are the creamy squishy adorable ones right? And the trick is getting outside!

Let The Light Shine In Indeed!

Natural light is your bestie!

I LOVE it when my clients take my advice and venture outside for newborn shoots. I am always way happier with the outcome. Sure I have studio light and diffusers but nothing compares to the light God made!

Now I don’t mean let’s go burn the baby in the sun when I say let’s shoot outside- I mean lets diffuse the light by shooting at optimal times of day (morning or early evening) and find some beautiful flat light (even lighting) to diffuse any direct light to create that creamy neutral babe!

Let’s talk about light terms for a hot min.

Diffused light is soft light- without the intensity and glare that comes from direct light. When we talk about diffused light it means that it is scattered and comes from all directions. Because of the scattered light it seems to wrap around objects becoming softer and not creating harsh shadows. And this kind of light is KEY for creamy newborn squish!

Flat light is also light with very little contrast between highlights and lowlights. Now this is great for wedding flatlays, product shoots, and especially newborns. Even portraits in some ways. Flat light can also be when it’s cloudy in a hazy sort of way. Not like the good fluffy happy clouds… the “overcast ones” I actually HATE overcast light. It’s muddy- or gritty making the light too flat.

Soft light simply means the contrast is soft rather than harsh or hard. The transition from highlight to shadow is gradual and more pleasing the eye in my opinion. I shoot backlit during optional times to get this light. And it’s my go to light style.

But for newborns you really want very little contract or directional light so you can get the creamy neutral look!

So a big congrats to baby Lin for being born and for being such an adorable sleepy squish for almost our ENTIRE shoot at the Queen Creek Olive Mill. I think he liked the wind in the trees and the sweet morning warmth. And congrats to Kristen & Brian on the growth of their beautiful family! (Check out their wedding shoot from last year in the link below too!)

Let The Light Shine In A Queen Creek Olive Mill Newborn Shoot