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Image by Daniel Zedda
One of the most effective pieces of lighting gear ever invented is available to almost every photographer in the world… unless you’re living in a cave (and even then you might have one).

Image by Anna Gay
It’s the window.

Image by Eric Meuller
I hear many photographers asking about what lighting gear to purchase to light their portraits – but I’m a firm believer that the natural light provided by a window can often do the job as well – if not better – than any expensive gear that you might buy.

Image by Meredith Farmer
Here’s a collection of images that were all taken predominantly with natural light – in most cases at or near a window. Enjoy.

Image by Shandi-Lee

Image by Paul Goyette

Image by John Meuller

Image by Mr Story

Image by Beni Ishaque Luthor

Image by Gabriela Camerotti

Image by The Q

Image by Sebastiano Pitruzzello

Image by Gabriela Camerotti

Image by Jay Ryness

Image by Raymond Larose

Image by gabriele fanelli

Image by Sebastiano Pitruzzello

Image by Jay Ryness

Image by Drew Herron

Image by brice hardelin

Image by Lauren Nelson
Darren Rowse is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School and SnapnDeals.
He lives in Melbourne Australia and is also the editor of the ProBlogger Blog Tips. Follow him on Instagram, on Twitter at @digitalPS or on Google+.
50 Responses to “21 Inspirational Natural Light Portraits” - Add Yours
November 30th, 2011 at 1:36 am
So often I am so focused on color that I forget how impactful B&W can be. This inspires me to plan some window light shots and utilize the light in B&W.
Flickr:
http://bit.ly/oufr4c
November 30th, 2011 at 1:43 am
Thanks for the inspiration. Natural light and shade shouldn’t be overlooked.
Now look at the catch lights in some of these portraits. It may be natural light, but there is a lot more going on than a simple window.
November 30th, 2011 at 1:51 am
The photos aren’t showing up for me…
November 30th, 2011 at 2:43 am
Great iamges and article as usual – very inspiring. Now I have to try new stuff!
For this image we tried to simulate a window with the Rembrandt Lighting and curtain. The great thing about using natural light from a window is that you can usually find it anywhere.
http://kerstenbeckphotoart.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/rembrandt-lighting/
November 30th, 2011 at 2:55 am
the black and whites are just stunning. need to shoot more around the window light. thanks for posting
November 30th, 2011 at 3:36 am
Hmmm, nice… does it work with ugly people ?
November 30th, 2011 at 7:13 am
I just wonder what does the photo by mr story and brice hardelin to do with natural light?
November 30th, 2011 at 8:10 am
Natural light always sets such a great mood. I prefer it over any other type of lighting.
November 30th, 2011 at 9:01 am
Great inspirational images.
November 30th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Stunning, I had read some tips on using windows and I applied it to a portrait of my son here: http://martinsoler.com/2011/06/27/damon-benjamin-soler-born-29-march-2011/ however seeing these makes me want to go right back and start all over again. A great source of inspiration. Thanks again!
November 30th, 2011 at 9:23 am
Here’s my self portrait
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photochique/5839597701/
November 30th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Great theme and beautiful photos!
Not a portrait, but naturally lit thru a window:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lendog64/5675012692/
November 30th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
great selection, thanks.
@doc: yes, it does:)
gere’s one of my favorite candids where i used natural window light:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matabum/4772152417
November 30th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Amazing collectoin
November 30th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@dok: The B&W image by gabrielle fanelli of two ordinary looking people is probably the most powerful of all these images. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but there is beauty in all of us and it is the job of the photographer to bring that out for the whole world to see.
November 30th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
These are pictures of my daugher ..Hope u all like it ..
https://picasaweb.google.com/104548140900022351370/MyWork#5680652158348635042
https://picasaweb.google.com/104548140900022351370/MyWork#5680651960291280386
https://picasaweb.google.com/104548140900022351370/MyWork#5680652158348635042
December 1st, 2011 at 2:57 pm
These are all so amazing. Thanks for the inspiration for the next challenge on my blog!
December 2nd, 2011 at 3:23 am
Great selecrion – very inspiring – two of my favs below –
Lighting through the hallway – but pose is my son being mischiveous –
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65728881@N08/6308295682/in/photostream/
The second one was a absolute accident – but I simply love – in a completely dark passage with a narrow stream of soft light!! The baby is almost angelic – simply loved it !!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65728881@N08/6436851853/
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:33 am
Human psychology, reads from his face. !
December 2nd, 2011 at 6:35 am
Love these images, especially Brice Hardelin and Anna Gay’s images. Thanks for the image inspiration.
December 2nd, 2011 at 7:00 am
So many strong images here–I absolutely love this. This is definitely a reminder about how less is often more. I feel inspired…
December 2nd, 2011 at 7:03 am
Hello, I loved this article.
I just have a one question, doesn’t these photos need a quite long exposure? I have in my studio a window toward north and the light might not be too stong enough, very soft thoug.Or I should use the other windows in the house instead?
Ideas appreciated.
December 2nd, 2011 at 7:07 am
this is what is known as a lazy blog, put 21 pictures together, give no other information other than a window is somehow involved.. and yes use the word inspirational.
great job.. NOT!
December 2nd, 2011 at 7:25 am
This has got to be one of the most inspirational articles I’ve come across here. The images are absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing! Going to a window now!
December 2nd, 2011 at 7:25 am
Amazing photography. So very inspirational.
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:07 am
Thanks for the inspiration…needed it since its Friday! The play of the natural light which also with the textures of what is on the picture also inhances the model.
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:14 am
Beautiful and fantastic work.
How does one get to submit images for consideration for posts like this?
Here is a link to my one of my favorite portrait sessions I have using only natural light
http://www.prairierangerphotography.com/blog/?p=144
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:44 am
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63770761@N04/6438828779/in/photostream
December 2nd, 2011 at 12:35 pm
My favorite Natural Light Portraits: http://pinterest.com/pin/45880489923448010/
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:41 pm
I would like to know some of the settings, I tried some but have problems to get the contrast or is PS
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:47 pm
What great B&W images and a great rminder about working with natural light, the photographs say it all
December 2nd, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Thanks for sharing these stunning images. When it comes to lighting I try to use nothing but natural light, I do have a 580 ex2 in my bag just in case, but the beauty of natural light is hard to beat.
December 3rd, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Very nice,would like ur opinion on the photo of my son …
December 3rd, 2011 at 8:47 pm
A portrait of a sleeping child in natural light.
December 4th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Trying again – My favorite Natural Light Portraits: http://pinterest.com/pin/45880489923448010/
December 5th, 2011 at 7:16 am
Beautiful shots. Darren I would like to put some guest posts here.
December 7th, 2011 at 4:27 am
My attempt at window light with my son.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60199249@N02/6414681087/
December 7th, 2011 at 7:32 am
Beautiful and inspiring photos, I love window light, I don’t like it being winter and suffering with dark skies, glad we have fast glass and high ISOs, certainly easier than in the film days. Speaking of which, I’m loving some of the black and white conversions here… brilliant!
December 8th, 2011 at 2:49 am
This are breathe taking. They’re are great compositions.
Since I am still at the begining stages of becoming a photographer, I don’t have lights yet (also don’t have the money for them), so I use natural lighting a lot.
…I found that bathrooms do have a lot of great lighting….
December 8th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
All I have to say is AMEN!!!!!!!!!!! I’m glad someone said it. There’s nothing like a window!
December 11th, 2011 at 5:54 am
Mmm…. I love natural light from windows. The variety of uses illustrated is great – from high contrast silhouettes to soft diffuse light for stunning portraits.
December 13th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Window light is really great, I loved always taking photos with sufficient light but recently had some shoots at home with window light which is really nice and I love them. [img]undefine
January 14th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I love to use natural light for my portraits, it gives proper light for the result. Besides that, the personal touch on the photographs make make the result more interesting.
January 15th, 2012 at 1:57 am
Nice images, I love natural light portraits. I’m lucky, my Nikon D700 excels in low light
April 28th, 2012 at 5:40 am
Here’s one I took in my kitchen
April 28th, 2012 at 10:23 am
http://www.photosbyschaef.com/Still-Life/BLACHANDWHITE/20922007_Hs9DRr/1728711583_BSZSjFp/A
May 1st, 2012 at 3:28 am
Beautiful photos. I especially love the black and white portraits. No light compares to natural light!
May 2nd, 2012 at 4:46 pm
really nice examples..
April 16th, 2013 at 1:00 am
It is beautiful…I use Sliding-door lighting
See Example
http://www.johndesq.com/femslidingdoor.jpg
April 21st, 2013 at 6:02 am
Can you give us an example of the settings ,just an idea,please
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