A Studio Photoshoot with Dana: Natural Light, 5 Looks
This photoshoot with Dana took place in Downtown Toronto at Wade Studio and lasted about two hours. I used only natural light – sometimes letting it flood in freely, and sometimes shaping it with blinds, flags, and reflectors. The idea was to explore five different looks in one space, playing with light and mood without complicating it. Just a calm, honest photoshoot with a fresh, spontaneous vibe.
🔹 Below, I broke everything down by outfit and lighting setup, so you can see how much variety you can achieve even within the same studio.
🎥 And if you're curious how it all came together, there's a full behind-the-scenes video at the top — including raw images, light breakdowns, and edits.
All final images were edited using my Amber Spectrum Presets, available here in my shop.
LOOK 1: White Crop Top + Shorts
Clean and minimal, with soft lighting and natural energy. Dana wore a fitted crop top and shorts, which worked beautifully against the deep teal backdrop.
Lighting: Large windows, fully open. No modifiers. Just soft, clean daylight.
Why I love it: This setup is great for the beginning of the shoot. It feels open, relaxed, and helps the client warm up quickly.
LOOK 1, Part 2: Same Outfit, More Contrast
We kept the outfit but changed the lighting for a moodier vibe.
Lighting: I closed the blinds slightly to narrow the beam and added shadows. It instantly added more shape and drama to the photos.
Result: A perfect example of how subtle light control shifts the feel of the entire frame.
LOOK 2: Yellow Oversized Jacket
Time to go bold. Dana put on a vibrant yellow jacket, which popped beautifully against the teal wall.
Lighting: Same narrow light beam as before, but now I added a black flag on the opposite side of the window to deepen the shadows.
Color harmony: This look had a fashion-style energy with very minimal effort.
LOOK 3: White Ribbed Dress
We moved to the front window to shoot against the sunlight. This setup gave a totally new energy to the session — brighter, more glowing.
Lighting: Backlight from the window + a mirror and large white reflector to soften shadows and shape the light.
Bonus detail: We made her hair slightly wet for a fashion feel.
LOOK 4: Pink Lingerie + Jeans
Same window, different sides. We started on the same spot as the dress photos, then moved to the opposite end of the studio.
Lighting (1st half): Bright sunlight from behind, same reflector setup.
Lighting (2nd half): No direct sun – soft light, with just a small white reflector to lift shadows a bit.
Feel: Comfortable, playful, and naturally sexy without trying too hard.
LOOK 5: Blue Shirt + Yellow Couch
Our final outfit — and final 10 minutes in the studio. Simple blue shirt, relaxed jeans, and the mustard couch to bring in a cozy color contrast.
Lighting: Soft light from the window behind, plus some bounce from the original side window. I kept a small reflector nearby just to balance it a little.
Mood: Casual, warm, and very personal. A great way to close the shoot.
Final Thoughts
This entire session was done with only natural light — no artificial lighting. Just reflectors, blinds, flags, and a clear idea of what kind of mood we wanted to build.
Every photo was edited using my Amber Spectrum Presets, available here.
If you're a photographer, I hope this gives you inspiration to explore more with natural light. And if you're looking for a studio photoshoot in Toronto that's creative, relaxed, and tailored to you — let's talk.
📨 Contact me here or learn more about boudoir and portrait sessions.
