Photosprouts Photography Workshops
San Francisco | Palo Alto

Photosprouts Photography School

San Francisco

Aesthetic Portraits

in Natural Light

Advanced Level 

Aesthetic Portraits

in Natural Light

In the Aesthetic Natural Light Portrait Workshop, you’ll learn 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. Together, we’ll dive into the three foundational rules of portraiture and explore techniques for creating timeless, portfolio-worthy images with a professional model. From finding soft light on a sunny day to crafting light and airy looks, and even harnessing the drama of hard sunlight—you’ll gain the skills to create striking portraits in any natural setting.


You'll also 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.

Quick Facts

Workshop Date

June 21st 2025 (Sat)

4pm-7pm

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

  • What is the prerequisite?

    The Beginner & Intermediates I Photography Workshops OR ability to use the manual mode of your camera: Attendees are required to adjust the exposure in the manual mode VERY proficiently.


  • Do I need to bring my own camera?

    You can bring your camera & lenses.


    Equipment can be borrowed for free during the class.




  • What lenses will you recommend?

    1) Wide aperture prime lenses that have equivalent focal lengths of 50mm, 85mm, 105mm are capable of creating light & airy looking photos. 


    2) Alternatively, telephoto zoom lenses will also work.


    Examples:


    Prime lenses:


    Canon 85mm F1.2

    Canon/ Sony/ Nikon 85mm F1.4

    Canon/ Sony/ Nikon 85mm F1.8


    Canon 50mm F1.2

    Canon/ Sony/ Nikon 50mm F1.4

    Canon/ Sony/ Nikon 50mm F1.8


    Nikon/ Sigma 105mm F1.4


    Telephoto:


    24-105mm F4

    24-70mm F2.8

    70-200mm F2.8


    To learn more about equivalent focal lengths, full frame & crop sensor cameras, please sign up the Intermediate II Workshop.

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 June 21st's class:

6. Turning hard light to your advantage

Portraits From The Previous Workshops

  • Photos from the Workshop


    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
Share by: