Tip #1: Shoot in RAW format, don’t shoot or edit in jpeg. Yes the files are huge & yes you have to open in Photoshop or Lightroom— but these files are more sensitive to light and write in more detail. Just do it, I’m not too sure why other than the fact that we have to as photographers!

Tip #2: If you’re shooting inside, bust out a reflector. They’re used to bounce light, What I’ll typically do is place my subject in front of a window, and bounce the light back on them. If I’m outside I usually can’t use one because I don’t shoot with anyone around besides my subject and I typically. If you can’t afford a reflector, wear a white shirt— BECOME the reflector ha, use a white poster board. If you’re looking for a reflector, I like this one. It’s a 5 in 1 reflector; so clutch on any photoshoot.

Tip #3: Bump your ISO up. ISO is basically the sensitivity to the light, the higher it is the more your camera will pick up. Some people can get pretty neurotic when it comes to photography and believe everything they read about “NEVER setting ISO above 100”. Ugh, how boring can you get??? And predictable. Look unless you’re blowing up your photo onto a billboard, raising your ISO and adding a small grain isn’t going to harm anyone, you probably won’t even see it unless you zoom in to 500% like a maniac. Which we all do, but shouldn’t. Let’s keep art as art and just bump the ISO up okay? Thanks.

Tip #4: This tip I personally feel like we can all use a reminder constantly– PAUSE and stare at the sun. When I was first starting, I would get so excited on shoots that I forgot to actually look around me, and zoom in to the photo to check the light. Expose for the highlights. If you’re having trouble focusing on your subject with the sun blaring behind them, use your focus points so you know where the focus is going. I also either bend down low to block the sun with the subject’s body, or I’ll go a little higher above my subject, to block the sun from going straight into my lens.

Tip #5: Personally I love shooting backlight with my 35mm lens! I love this lens for it’s high contrast, when I up the ISO, the light rarely leaks onto my subject, it keeps it all light behind them, with just a tad bit of a dreamy glow around the hair. Perfection. Choose the right lens.

Tip #6: That’s basically everything I do IN CAMERA and during shoot. Let’s talk briefly about post editing. First don’t be scared to mess around editing, no one is watching so who cares if you mess up- that’s what the reset button is for, duh. Everything I learned, I learned from pressing buttons and trying things, not that even I know that much. There’s always something new to be learned. In the case of backlighting, lift the shadows and bring your highlights up too. It’s hard for me to give too much advice in this section because every photo is different, but play around and make art!

I’d like to hear any tips you guys have for backlighting too! Always feel free to send me a message on instagram or email me through my contact page!