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Outdoor Studio | Marci Renee Photography Lifestyle Photographer Warner Robins, Georgia

3 Elements of a Great Outdoor Studio


I am all about studio pictures. Being able to control the level of the lights, the background, and add in a reflector to create soft hair light and I am in heaven. The subject is then simply placed in the best light made for them and their moment. What if you could get as much control that an indoor studio gives you outdoors?


Pearls, a slip dress, high grass, a rusted truck. How often do you have all the small elements to make something great. You can see and feel it but you have to figure out a way for everyone else to see what you see. Here are three simple elements to create the ideal outdoor studio.

  • Timing. Timing is seriously everything. You or the client often choose to shoot outdoors because of its natural effortless beauty. Can you shoot at any time of the day, yes. Will your subject/client be comfortable at any time of the day, no. Less is honestly more. So if my client was fighting the sweat throughout this session it would not have worked. Additionally the halo hair glow the sun creates while it's setting (or rising) adds to the mood of the images. Choosing a session time during a nice sunset or sunrise is crucial.

  • Pop of Light. When setting up your indoor studio subject light is probably the light that is messed with the most. I would agree the same would be for your outdoor studio. An external flash on a low setting through a diffuser at a 90-degree angle from the subject allows a natural soft even light to be cast to maintain the light behind her.

  • Props. Props? Really? Yes, props. The grass/weeds, the rusted truck in the background, the broken-down car she sits in front of, and the open shed are all technically props. Allow these permanently affixed/ natural props to help create the composition and leading lines for your images. Allow your subject the interact with these items to create a cohesive look between your subject and the natural elements.

An indoor studio allows the photographer to control almost all the elements of a session. However, an outdoor studio had its challenges. I believe the outdoor studio provides the same control and beauty if you are willing to show others the beauty that the vision holds.

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