You often hear photographers talk about "chasing the light" or being strictly "natural light photographers." While I love the sun, I do things a little differently.
I am not your typical natural light photographer.
When I look at a sunset, I don’t want it to just be a soft, white wash of light in the background. I want you to see the sky exactly as I see it—vivid, dramatic, and full of detail. I want to capture the deep blues of the clouds and the burning oranges of the sun without losing the faces of the people in front of it.
To do that, I bring my own light.
By using off-camera flash to illuminate my subjects, I can change my camera settings to "protect" the sky. Instead of blowing out the background to white, I can keep all those rich, moody details in the clouds while making sure the family pops right off the screen. It creates a look that is bold, crisp, and colorful.
A Special Connection
This session was the perfect opportunity to put that technique to work because the subjects mean the world to me. As many of you know, I am also a nanny, and these are "my" kids.
It is such a unique joy to transition from our morning routine of board games and breakfast to a session like this. I know their personalities inside and out, which makes it so much easier to get those smiles. But seeing them lit up like this, looking so grown-up against that massive, epic sky, was really emotional for me.
God’s Artistry
This technique is deeply tied to my faith. I believe the sky is one of the most incredible displays of God’s awesomeness. The intricate layers of clouds, the way the light breaks through them, the sheer scale of it all—it’s His art on display.
By using flash, I don’t have to sacrifice that backdrop. I get to showcase the family clearly while also honoring the breathtaking canvas God painted for us that evening. It allows me to capture the best of both worlds: the people I love and the creation that inspires me.
I hope you enjoy these images. They are a little dramatic, a little bold, and full of love.
