Whether you’re photographing your kids in the backyard or your dog at the park, the biggest mistake I see isn’t the camera you are using. It’s the light.
As a professional photographer, I’ll be the first to tell you that professional cameras and lenses can create images that simply aren’t possible with a cell phone. But whether you’re using the latest smartphone or a professional camera, beautiful light is what helps every photograph look its best. Learning to recognize just a few different lighting situations can instantly improve the everyday photos you take.
Look for Open Shade
My favorite light is something photographers call open shade. This is when your subject is standing in the shade while still facing the open sky. This lighting is consistent and even over your subject.
Think about the edge of a tree line, the shaded side of a building, or a covered porch. Open shade creates soft, even light that brings out natural colors and keeps details in both faces and fur.
Try this: If your child or dog is standing in bright sunshine, simply take a few steps into the nearest patch of shade. You’ll be surprised by the difference.
Avoid Dappled Light
Dappled light happens when sunlight filters through leaves, creating bright spots and dark shadows across your subject. It’s like standing under a pergola and having shaded stripes over you.
First, this light is unflattering, especially on human faces. Second, cameras often struggle with this type of lighting having to choose which spots should be exposed for. Bright spots can become distracting and important details may disappear into the shadows.
Instead, look for a spot where the shade is even from head to toe or head to tail.
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Watch Your Background
One of the biggest challenges for phone cameras is photographing scenes with both very bright and very dark areas.
Imagine your dog sitting in the shade with bright sunshine behind them. Your phone has to decide what to expose correctly. If it exposes for the background, your dog may look too dark. If it exposes for your dog, the background may become completely white.
Often, the easiest solution is simply to change your angle. Walk a few steps to one side so both your subject and the background are in similar light.
Black Dogs, White Dogs, and High Contrast
One of the most common questions I hear as a pet photographer comes from clients with dark brown or black dogs: “Why do my cell phone photos always make my dog look like a black blob?”
Black and white dogs can be especially challenging because phone cameras have a limited range of brightness they can capture in a single image. Instead of placing a black dog against a bright sidewalk or a white wall, look for a background with similar brightness, such as green grass in open shade. White dogs also benefit from soft, even light, which helps preserve detail in their fur.
A Quick Indoor Tip
Natural window light is your best friend indoors. If you’re taking a photo near a window, turn off the lamps and overhead lights first. Indoor light is always more yellow than natural window light. Mixing different types of light often gives indoor photos an unnatural yellow color.
Great photography starts with noticing the light around you, and these simple tips can help you create better everyday photos of the people and pets you love.
Of course, there are still some moments that deserve more than a quick snapshot. A professional photographer brings not only specialized equipment, but also years of experience reading light, anticipating genuine moments, and creating images that let everyone, including you, be part of the story.
Want to see side-by-side examples of each lighting situation? Visit my blog for a visual guide showing exactly what to look for the next time you’re taking photos.
