Why I’ll Always Turn You Away From the Sun

“You want me to stand where?! With the sun behind me?!”

I cannot tell you how often I hear this question, with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. I can almost see you form the question in your head: Does she know what she’s doing? Won’t we just look like shadows?

But what if I told you that some of the most breathtaking, heart-achingly beautiful images are created the moment you turn your back on the bright golden sun?

And not just beautiful. Magical! Images layered with warmth, depth, and light. This is not just about the “perfect shot”; this is about creating art that feels as personal and tender as the bond you share with your family. Art that you feel proud to display in your home.

Trust, Magic, and the Beauty of the Unexpected

Family photography often begins with nerves.

I see it in the reluctant faces of dads who would rather be somewhere else.

I see it in the slightly apologetic smiles of mums who are worried their children aren’t perfectly photogenic.

And I see it in little ones, who might feel restless and unsure when asked to stand just so.

But that’s where trust is everything. It’s not just about posing or direction; it’s about you letting go of your instincts for a moment, trusting me and allowing me to work my magic.

Take a family I worked with last autumn during one of those golden-hour shoots that make you fall in love with light all over again.

I could see the doubt in her eyes – the same doubt I’ve witnessed countless times.

The dad was polite but a little nervous, suggesting several times that maybe the “best light” was right behind me.

With a gentle smile, I reassured him. “Trust me,” I said. “Turn your backs to the light. Hold hands. Hug each other close. Laugh. Just be together.”

And they did. And what unfolded was pure, unfiltered magic.

As they turned, that golden light transformed into a gentle embrace. It kissed their hair, creating an ethereal glow in little Z’s curls as she danced on the pier in her ballerina outfit.

It transformed her flowing dress into a dance of light and shadow, while casting the most beautiful, soft illumination on her face.

And as the sun dipped just a little lower, it hit my lens and gifted us with dreamy lens flares which I soooo love.

That shoot turned into one of my favourite family portrait sessions of the year – not just because of the technical perfection of the backlighting, but because it captured the pure joy and connection of a family who let go of their preconceptions and trusted in something new.

When I showed them one of the shots on the back of my camera, the mother’s eyes softened. She gasped. “Oh my goodness. Look at that light, so beautiful.” Her husband, previously a little sceptical, whispered, “Wow.”

I caught mum and dad sharing a look, that look, the one that says a thousand unspoken words about how proud they are of the life they’ve built together.

This is why I do what I do. It’s not just about creating images. It’s about revealing something to you that you already knew deep down but maybe hadn’t yet seen. The sheer beauty of what your love looks like when the light shines just right.

Why Facing the Sun Isn’t Always the Answer

It’s natural to think that facing the sun is the way to get the best light on your face. Bright, direct light must mean better photos, right? Not quite.

Here’s why I’ll almost never have you looking right into the sun:

• Strong, direct light creates overly bright skin tones, often leaving “hotspots” in the images.
• It makes most people squint and furrow their brows, leading to uncomfortable or unnatural expressions.
• The lighting becomes flat and harsh.

The truth is, natural, flattering light is far softer and more forgiving when the sun is behind you. Backlighting, the art of facing away from the sun and letting its rays gently wrap around you, is a tool for crafting images that feel dreamy and timeless.

Backlighting Brings the Magic to Life

What makes backlighting so special?

• It creates an angelic rim of golden light that frames hair and shoulders, adding depth and dimension to your portraits.
• It provides beautifully soft and even light on faces.
• And sometimes, when the sun hits the lens at the right angle, tiny bursts of lens flares appear. I love that so much! It’s like dancing fireflies – fleeting, dreamy, and impossibly beautiful.

With backlighting, the light works for you rather than overpowering your image. It enhances the natural playfulness of children’s laughter, the warmth of a quiet hug, and the tenderness of a stolen glance.

Transforming Family Moments Into Tangible Art

Backlighting might feel like a small detail, but when woven into the bigger picture of your family, it becomes part of something much greater. Those images we capture together? They will linger long after the session ends.

Imagine this with me. You’re standing by the wall in your living room. There’s a large, exquisitely framed portrait of your family bathed in that golden, glowing light. Every time you see it, you’ll feel it all over again. The day you held hands and laughed while the world turned gold around you.

These photos will become part of your family’s story. Not sitting forgotten on a hard drive, but living, breathing reminders of the joy you treasure. They’ll be the memories that your children flip through one day, marvelling at how little they once were and what their parents looked like backed then. And perhaps, whisper softly to themselves “I see now. I see how much you loved me.”

Trust the Experience

Every family is different, and every session has its own heartbeat. But what connects them all is the trust you hold when we begin.

You trust me to see the intricate threads of your family’s story, even when you don’t.

You trust me to spot the moments where light and love come together so that your photos don’t just show your family, but capture how your hearts feel.

Trust isn’t just the starting point; it’s the foundation. And when you take that leap, we get to create the kind of photos that you’ll treasure forever.

So, the next time someone tells you to “face the sun,” remember this story. Remember the magic. And don’t be afraid to turn away from the light, to find the real light, the light that will make your heart sing.