Overview

Working in natural light is one of the key elements of being a portrait photographer. Once you've mastered shooting in the various lighting scenarios that you could come across, the rest of photography becomes a lot less daunting and a lot easier to deal with. By the end of this course, taught by Sophia Carey, you’ll have the confidence to recognize and adapt to a variety of natural lighting situations, create portraits that feel intentional and dynamic, and refine your images using professional editing tools in Adobe Lightroom. You’ll learn how to master direct sunlight, overcast skies, and backlighting, while also troubleshooting challenges like harsh shadows and unwanted color casts. This class will cover: * Exposure, what it is and top tips * Shooting in midday light * Shooting in overcast scenarios * Backlighting, and how to use it * Key tools in Adobe Lightroom * Fixing underexposed and overexposed film scans, in Adobe Lightroom This practical, hands-on approach will give you the skills to take beautiful portraits no matter the weather or time of day. This course is designed for beginner to intermediate portrait photographers who want to deepen their understanding of natural light. If you already know the basics of camera operation and exposure, you’ll be well prepared to succeed. To be successful in this course, you should have a working knowledge of the exposure triangle and basic camera settings. What makes this class unique is the combination of theory, on-location demonstrations, and Lightroom walkthroughs. You won’t just learn the “rules” of natural light—you’ll see them applied in real-world shoots and discover how to bring out the best in your photos through thoughtful editing. Instructor bio: Hi guys, I'm Sophia! I'm a photographer, videographer and graphic designer, specialising mostly in fashion and event photography, and I'm taking to Skillshare to share what I've learned throughout my freelance career so far, including tips on photography, design and creative business skills. I've been working as a photographer for the past six years, working with clients across fashion, music and lifestyle! I work with both film and digital photography and have been honoured to work with some amazing faces, teams and clients, from global companies such as Vodafone and Red Bull, to amazing individuals like Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix and Georgia Stanway and Mary Earpes, two Lionesses.

Syllabus

Foundations of Natural Light Portraits

This module introduces the course, project, and gear essentials while grounding you in exposure fundamentals. You’ll gain the knowledge needed to set up your camera and use equipment effectively to capture compelling portraits using natural light.

Mastering Light Techniques

Dive into the artistry of working with light in all its forms. From direct sunlight to the subtle glow of golden hour, you’ll learn how to manipulate natural light to enhance portraits, create mood, and achieve professional-quality results in varied environments.

Behind the Scenes: Real-World Shooting Conditions

This module takes you behind the scenes to see how concepts play out in practice. You’ll watch the process of working in both direct light and overcast conditions, gaining practical insights to help you adapt and problem-solve during your own shoots.

Editing for Natural Light Portraits

The final module completes the creative journey by focusing on editing. You’ll learn practical tips for refining natural light portraits, discover workflows for both subtle and dramatic adjustments, and wrap up with key insights to carry forward in your practice.