I recently had the pleasure of working with the Cusick family for a portrait session in Richmond, Virginia. Everyone was in great spirits and the weather was just about perfect. We had an easy job, taking a stroll in the park while getting some great memories captured in family portraits for the couple to cherish as their little one grows.

Photographing portraits with natural light creates unique and very desirable results – whether you plan them or not. Even so, I often I find myself – as do many photographers – working hard setting up lighting arrangements to achieve a specific look, which can also lead to desired results. However, natural light settings along with the spontaneity of children moving around and families interacting creates situations one can never think of on their own. Sure, as photographers we have a vision of what we are trying to create/capture, and I almost always go into a shoot with ideas around what I want the finished product to resemble, but many times there are spontaneous opportunities.

Natural light is amazing as you can see in these casual and candid family portraits.  It requires moving quick and being flexible as the conditions are ever changing (as the sun sets, clouds roll in, etc.) – so the outcome can often surprise even the most experienced and gifted photographer.

Capturing light is what photography is all about, and this outdoor family portrait session allowed me to delve a little further into this realm and capture some truly keepsake photographs.