84. How to embrace any lighting situation with Emily Choy

Shooting in direct sunlight can be quite scary for many photographers.

In this episode with Emily Choy, she’ll share her secrets on how she embraces the weather and different lighting conditions when she’s photographing. 

 Emily Choy is a photographer in Oahu, Hawaii. She brings a casual but elegant approach to create something editorial, cinematic, and documentary style. Her work has an emphasis on emotion and creativity, and today we are talking about her unique way of embracing the weather and giving you some tips for shooting in bright sunlight.

What makes a business sustainable?

Your business can become sustainable when you know your limits. When you can’t do some of the processes or tasks in your business you can outsource or create systems for you to save time. This also helps you avoid getting burnout. 

Learn how to outsource with Jen Madigan

Episode 26

When you save time, you open more opportunities for you and your business. You can focus on more exciting and fun things that will help you earn more for your business. 

Developing creativity while owning a business

Always look for inspiration. When you save time by outsourcing and using automated systems, you free up time to look for inspiration outside the industry. 

At the end of the day, you’re still a photographer and a business owner. Allow yourself to be creative while also doing the business side of photography. 

Learn how to deal with business as a creative

Episode 1

How to embrace weather and light?

In tropical areas like Hawaii where Emily lives, the weather can really be tricky. Here are some tips on how you can prepare for different weather:

1. Always manage clients’ expectations. Communication is key. Upload information to your website, like FAQs, send out emails, and talk with your clients beforehand.
2. Have a backup location or a plan B. Sometimes you can reschedule your shoot, and other times you just have to find a way to make it work on the day.
3. Decide what to do in case of unexpected weather. Send your clients an email on how to prepare and tell them about your plan B.

Shooting in broad daylight

Direct sunlight is many photographers’ worst nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be. Just know that it can cause harsh shadows and blown-out highlights, which can ruin shots.

Many photographers take pictures during “golden hour,” just after sunrise or before sunset. But if you want to (or have to) take on the challenge of shooting in direct sunlight, here are some tips:

1. Be upfront with your clients. They need to know what kind of photos to expect since they differ from the soft golden hour look. 
2. When you shoot portraits, watch out for the types of shadows cast on their faces.
3. Play with poses. You can do something like hands in front of their eyes or you can have them look down or even turn their face up towards the sun with their eyes closed.
4. Explore your camera settings to get the different effects on shoots.
5. Take some breaks or rest if needed.

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Want more?

Ingvild Kolnes is the host of the Sustainable Photography Podcast, an educator for photographers, and is ready to help you with your photography business. 

Join the waitlist for the Sustainable Photography Program. This program is designed to give you the knowledge and tools you need to create a thriving photography business that’s built to last.

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