When it comes to portrait photography, one of the most common questions photographers ask is: natural light photography vs flash photography—what should I be using? The truth is, both have their place, and understanding the benefits of each can seriously elevate your work.
Let’s break it down.
GEAR USED IN THIS SETUP
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 50 mm f/1.2
- Flash: Westcott FJ400 Strobe, Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-L
Team:
Photographer: Sal Cincotta
Model: Hailey Aylward
Hair & Makeup: Brandi Patton, ReFine Beauty
The Simplicity of Natural Light
Natural light is the go-to for many photographers, especially when you’re starting out. It’s intuitive—what you see is what you get. If you’re photographing near a window, outdoors, or in a space with soft ambient light, you can get beautiful, airy images without touching a single lighting modifier.
For this shoot, I used my Canon R5 with a 50mm f/1.2 lens and photographed wide open at f/1.2 to capture soft, dreamy portraits with beautiful depth. Natural light gave us a quick, easy setup and let us flow through poses without adjusting gear between shots.
But while natural light is fast and flexible, it also has its limitations—especially when it comes to consistency, direction, and mood.
Adding Drama with Flash
To take the same scene up a notch, I introduced a single strobe light—an FJ400 with a large Octa-L softbox from Westcott. This wasn’t a complicated multi-light setup. In fact, with just one off-camera flash, the look of the image changed dramatically.
Here’s why flash photography can make such a difference:
- Control: With flash, I can control the intensity, direction, and quality of light—regardless of the environment.
- Dimension: Lighting the subject separately from the background creates contrast and visual depth, which gives portraits a more professional finish.
- Consistency: Whether I’m in a dark studio or battling harsh sun, I know my exposure will be dialed in shot after shot.
If you’re just starting with flash, don’t be intimidated. Start simple: one light, one large modifier, and practice adjusting the distance and power to see how it affects your image. You don’t even need a light meter—adjust manually and take test shots until it looks right. It took me three shots to dial it in.
Comparing the Two: Natural Light vs Flash Photography
So how did the two setups compare?
- Natural light gave us soft, organic images that felt light and romantic.
- Flash gave us dramatic, editorial portraits with rich tones and sculpted light.
Neither one is inherently better—they simply tell different visual stories.
Personally, I lean toward flash for professional work because of the control and polished finish it brings. But natural light is still a powerful tool, especially when used intentionally.
The Takeaway
If you’re a natural light photographer who’s been avoiding flash because it feels too technical, now’s the time to explore. Start with one light and experiment. Flash photography doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and the impact it can have on your work is massive.
Whether you prefer the clean simplicity of sunlight or the sculpted drama of strobes, understanding how and when to use each one gives you creative freedom—and that’s what makes a great photographer.
Have thoughts on natural light photography vs flash photography? Tried both? Drop a comment and let me know which one you prefer!
