The sun has not been out for several days now, but we have continued to be busy in the studio making our headshots, business portraits, and family portraits. Much professional portraiture is done outdoors or in suitable venues that partner with photographers. However, I can provide the option of a studio session that is not affected by weather, temperature, or night. My young competition is not interested in owning a studio and is content with working outdoors in parks and photogenic urban locations. I enjoy being outside in the natural light of the day, which offers a comfortable setting for informal portraits. However, there are times when my clients desire the studio instead of cold and rainy conditions. Older, more mature clients are more comfortable with the studio as they know it will be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Older relatives may also have trouble navigating uneven ground with rocks and other impediments, so the studio provides a predictable welcome space. Clients usually don't have a location for outdoor photos, so we help by suggesting a green space close to the studio. I am very aware of how the light falls in this area and the progression of shadows as the day concludes. The best light for outdoor portraits is during the last two hours of the day. This is the time when shady light prevails, with direct sunlight in the distance and on the tops of trees. We supplement the light with electronic tools.
