Advanced Level
Aesthetic Portraits
in Natural Light
1 Workshop, 3 Portrait Styles
Natural light portrait photography is more than just picking up a camera and snapping photos outdoors. It involves thoughtful strategies like assessing the location, understanding the quality and direction of light, and using posing techniques that complement both the light and your subject.
In the Aesthetic Natural Light Portrait Workshop, you’ll learn all these techniques with a clear goal of mastering three distinct portrait styles using only natural light. We'll explore
classical portraits with rich shadows and dark backgrounds,
light and airy looks using soft, diffused light, and
dramatic portraits created with direct, harsh sunlight. Instructor Christina will guide you through each setup so you can confidently recognize and use different types of natural light to shape your creative vision to see your surroundings with an experienced portrait photographer's eye—using the natural elements of a location to shape light as intentionally as you would in a studio.
You will be guided to create portfolio-worthy images with a professional model, and develop an eye for finding the best lighting and locations, learning to spot and avoid elements that might seem appealing at first glance but can create challenges for achieving professional looking images.
This class is all about helping you grow as a photographer and build confidence in your ability to create stunning portraits anywhere.
Page Directory
Portraits From the Previous Workshops
Class Date
Sign up
Workshop Date
October 4th 2025 (Sat)
2:30pm-5:30pm
Workshop Length
3 hours, in-person learning experience
Location
The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Learn: Composition
Posing
Make natural light work for you
Pricing
$320
(The model fee is included—and we only work with professional, photogenic models who elevate your portfolios)
Share this class
FAQ
This Workshop is Taught by by
Christina Szeto, the Founder of Photosprouts
Christina, founder of Photosprouts Photography Workshops, has over a decade of experience in portrait photography and a passion for teaching.
Known for her thought-provoking and genuine teaching style, Christina creates a warm and supportive learning environment. She has a unique ability to step into her students' shoes, quickly identifying areas for growth and providing personalized guidance that inspires confidence and creativity.
With her expertise and tailored approach, Christina empowers photographers to develop their skills and achieve their artistic vision.
With carefully prepared learning materials presented in an organized and systematic manner, students will instantly see their transformation after the class with Christina.
What will you learn?
For Pros
Without the help of a flash, how do you make natural light work for you? How to see the light in any on-location site just like in a studio?
For Beginners & Intermediates
Train your eyes to see the light. Practice posing, composition and portrait focal lengths.
1. Location assessment & Lighting
It's all about the location.
In any given location, how do you find the prettiest natural light?
What is the strategy on a sunny day, overcast day and different times of the day?
What are the three types of shades?
How to turn harsh sunlight to your advantage?
How to shoot backlit pictures properly?
What is the Inverse Square Law of Light and how to apply in natural light portraiture?
2. Light quality: Soft vs Hard
- 3 Types of Shades
- Strategies for different weather/ light conditions: Sunny, overcast
3. Posing your subject & capturing authentic emotions
4. Improving photo composition
- Composition that applies to all types of portraiture, not only the Light & Airy Style. You will be able to use mundane objects in everyday life to compose your shots.
5. Light & Airy Portraits
- Not every location will give you the same result.
- If you are looking for bright, fresh and airy looking type of portraits, learn to find a location that serves this purpose and more.
- By the way, she's the model for October 4th 2025's class:
6. Turning hard light to your advantage
Portraits From The Previous Workshops
