Week 10 - Using Window Light for Natural Portraits
Learn the fundamentals of natural light portraits
Learn how to create beautiful, natural-looking portraits using only window light by positioning your subject in front of, beside, or behind the window.
What You’ll Learn This Week
Lesson 10 - Window Light Portrait Photography
Window light is one of the most accessible and flattering light sources available. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use window light intentionally to shape faces, create depth, and achieve different moods - all without artificial lighting.
By the end of this lesson, you will understand:
Why window light works so well for portraits
How light direction changes the look and mood of a photo
How to position a subject with the window in front, to the side, or behind
How to adjust camera settings for each lighting scenario
How to pose a subject naturally near a window
Lesson10 Downloads
These are the digital versions of the handouts you’ll receive in class. Download and save these to your computer for easy reference.
🎥 Lesson 10 Video
This is your Lesson 10 video walkthrough. Watch this before class to prepare, or revisit it afterward to reinforce what we covered in the studio.
Take notes as you watch. Don’t worry about mastering everything at once - we’ll build this skill together through hands-on practice.
Week 10 Assignment
This assignment is designed to help you become comfortable using natural window light intentionally, rather than guessing.
Your goals this week are to:
1. Photograph a subject using side window light
Focus on positioning your subject beside a window and observe how the light shapes the face.
2. Photograph the same subject using side window light with a prop
Use a simple prop (chair, stool, wall, etc.) to help create natural posing and variation.
3. Photograph from the shadow side
Shoot from the shadow side of the face and expose for the lit side to create a more moody, dramatic portrait.
As you shoot, also try to:
• Move your subject closer and farther from the window
• Try different shooting angles
• Pay attention to shadows, highlights, and facial contours
• Capture a few variations from each setup
What to Submit
• Your best image from each of the three setups (3 images total)
✅ Upload the assignment below once it’s completed.
Next Lesson
When you're ready, continue on to the next lesson.