Finding Natural Light in Unexpected Places

Last week, I had a corporate headshot session scheduled at a client's office downtown. When I arrived, I discovered they hadn't reserved their conference room as planned, and we were left with a small break room and hallway to work with. No problem - I've learned that beautiful light exists almost everywhere if you know how to find it.

The Challenge of Improvisation

Walking into an unfamiliar space without your usual setup forces you to see differently. The break room had small windows facing north, creating soft, diffused light that was actually perfect for portraits - just not in the obvious way. Instead of setting up directly by the window, I noticed how the light bounced off the white walls in the hallway, creating a beautiful wrap-around effect with minimal shadows.

Finding Your Light Source

The first step in any improvised location is identifying your primary light source. In this case, I looked for the brightest area (the windows) but then tracked how that light traveled. I noticed where shadows fell and where they disappeared. I tested several spots by taking quick sample shots with my phone. I paid attention to reflective surfaces that could act as natural bounce cards.

The best spot turned out to be about eight feet from the window, where the light had softened perfectly after bouncing off two walls.

Creating Depth in Tight Spaces

The hallway was narrow, which initially seemed limiting. However, I turned this constraint into an advantage. I positioned subjects at one end of the hallway, about 10 feet away. I shot with a longer focal length (85mm) to compress the space. The distance between subject and background created natural depth. The gradual falloff of light created dimensionality.

The narrow space actually helped create a more dramatic portrait with directional light that sculpted facial features beautifully.

Building a Mobile Toolkit

This experience reinforced why I always carry certain items in my "anywhere" kit. A collapsible 5-in-1 reflector that folds to the size of a dinner plate. A small clamp to position the reflector when I don't have an assistant. A piece of black foam core for negative fill when needed. A small LED panel that runs on batteries (though I didn't need it this time).

With these simple tools, I can shape and control almost any natural light source I discover.

What started as a potential disaster turned into some of my favorite corporate portraits of the year. The client was thrilled with the natural, flattering results, and I was reminded once again that limitations often lead to creative breakthroughs.

Next time you're stuck in a challenging location, take a moment to really observe the light. The perfect studio might be hiding in plain sight.