Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // Why I’ll Choose Light Over Background—Every. Single. Time.

Alright friends, gather ‘round. I’ve got a little truth bomb for you:

I will always—ALWAYS—choose good light over a pretty background. It’s why I pick certain beaches over others. They’re aren’t many sunset facing beaches here on the east coast.

Every time. No hesitation. Not sorry.

Listen, I know you might see a cute little spot with a rustic wall, an epic mountain view, or a flower-filled garden that screams “take the photo here!!” But if the light is trash?

So is the photo.

Let me explain.

Light Is Everything

Seriously.

Light is what makes a photo. It shapes your face. It brings out texture. It creates emotion.

Good light = flattering skin, dreamy tones, and that extra pop that makes a photo feel alive.

Bad light = squinty eyes, weird shadows, and skin that looks like a tomato under a heat lamp.

And while a cute background is nice, you know what makes people stop scrolling?

That buttery golden hour light pouring over your shoulders, turning your hair into a freaking halo.

Not the cute barn that’s behind you.

“Why Are We Shooting Here With Cars in The Background?”

Yep. That’s a question I’ve gotten mid-session.

You’re standing in front of some random bushes or maybe even gasp a row of parked cars. Meanwhile, 10 feet to the right is a Pinterest-worthy stone wall with string lights and a vintage bench.

But the light? It’s hitting right here.

And trust me: I can work some framing magic. I’ll shoot tight, crop out distractions, and use that golden glow to make your photo feel alive.

When you look at the final photo, you’re not gonna say “Is that a Honda Civic in the background?”

You’re gonna say “Damn, I look good.”

Pretty Background + Ugly Light = Nope

Harsh overhead sun?

Splotchy light through trees?

That cold, blue light from the shade at 3PM?

It might look good to your eyes, but it’s not doing your photos any favors.

If I throw you in bad light just for the sake of a cute setting, I’m not doing my job.

I’m here to make you look and feel your best—and the fastest path to that is finding the best light.

Trust Your Photographer

This is what I do. Like, all the time.

Light is my love language. I’ve trained my eye to find it, chase it, and use it to make absolute magic.

So if I tell you we’re shooting next to a brick wall instead of that “perfect” spot you saw on Pinterest, it’s not because I don’t see the background.

It’s because I see something better—that beautiful, creamy light that’s gonna make your skin glow, your eyes pop, and your whole damn self look like a rockstar.

Pretty background? Nice bonus.

Good light? Game-changer.

So next time I walk you over to a weird little patch of shade instead of the fancy backdrop you had in mind—trust the process.

I’m not just out here wingin’ it. I’m making choices that serve the story, the emotion, and the YOU in the photo.

Because good light + a confident you = badass vibes.