When choosing a church for your wedding, you may be thinking about the stunning architecture, the meaningful traditions, or the sentimental value it holds for your family. But have you considered how lighting will impact your wedding photos?
Churches can be some of the most beautiful yet challenging venues for wedding photography. Their grandeur, stained-glass windows, and candlelit ambiance create an unforgettable atmosphere—but they also present unique lighting conditions that your photographer needs to navigate.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how church lighting affects wedding photography, the challenges it presents, and how to ensure your wedding photos turn out beautifully.
1. Natural Light vs. Artificial Light in Churches
Many churches are dimly lit with minimal natural light, while others are flooded with sunlight through large windows. The type of lighting in your church will significantly impact the mood of your photos.
• Bright, airy churches with large windows (e.g., St. Mary’s in London) allow for natural, soft lighting, making for bright and elegant images.
• Dark, candlelit churches (e.g., historic chapels) create a moody, atmospheric feel, which can be stunning but requires careful exposure adjustments.
• Churches with stained-glass windows can cast colorful reflections, which add character but may also create unexpected color tints on your skin and dress.
📷 Pro Tip: If your church has limited natural light, discuss with your photographer how they plan to adjust their camera settings or whether they may use discreet artificial lighting.
Please be aware that in extremely dimly lit churches, even the best professional cameras and photographers have limitations. While we use top-tier equipment and techniques to capture beautiful images, very low light may result in a slightly softer, more atmospheric look rather than crisp, ultra-sharp detail.
2. The Challenge of Low-Light Photography in Churches
One of the biggest challenges of church weddings is low light. Many churches restrict the use of flash during the ceremony, so your photographer must rely on fast lenses, high ISO settings, and steady hands to capture crisp images.
✨ How photographers handle low light:
• Using a fast lens (like an 85mm f/1.2 or 50mm f/1.4) to let in more light and keep images sharp.
• Adjusting camera settings (higher ISO, slower shutter speed) to compensate for the darkness.
• Positioning strategically to make the most of available light sources.
If you’re set on a candlelit or dimly lit ceremony, it’s crucial to hire a photographer experienced in handling these conditions.
3. The Magic of Stained-Glass Windows
Stained-glass windows are one of the most iconic features of many churches. While they add beauty and color, they can also create unexpected lighting challenges:
• They may cast colored shadows on the couple, which can be tricky to edit.
• If the sun is too strong, it may create harsh light patches.
• On cloudy days, the colors may appear more muted.
📷 Pro Tip: If your church has dramatic stained glass, ask your photographer to capture a few creative shots that highlight the colours—perhaps a silhouette shot of you two in front of the window!
4. Spotlights and Artificial Church Lighting
Some churches have spotlights or warm artificial lights near the altar, which can impact your wedding photos:
• Warm lighting (orange/yellow tones) can make your skin look overly warm.
• Cool LED lights can sometimes create an unflattering, blue-ish tone.
• Harsh overhead lights can cause shadows under the eyes, which is why angles and positioning matter.
If possible, visit your church at the same time of day as your ceremony and take note of the lighting. Your photographer can adjust their white balance settings to ensure accurate colours.
5. Tips for Beautiful Church Wedding Photos
To get the best photos in a church setting, consider these tips:
✔ Check with the church about photography rules – Some churches restrict flash, movement, or even where photographers can stand. For my full pre-wedding checklist, check out my blog on The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Church & Marquee Wedding at Home
✔ Choose the right ceremony time – A midday ceremony may allow for better natural light if your church has large windows.
✔ Speak with your photographer in advance – If your church is dimly lit, they can plan accordingly and bring the right equipment.
✔ Consider a mix of color and black-and-white photos – Black-and-white images can look timeless and help balance tricky lighting situations.
✔ Relax and enjoy the moment – Even if the lighting isn’t perfect, a skilled photographer will find ways to capture the emotion and atmosphere beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Church weddings are undeniably breathtaking, but lighting plays a crucial role in how your wedding photos turn out. Whether you’re getting married in a bright, modern church or a historic candlelit chapel, an experienced photographer will know how to make the most of the lighting available.
If you’re planning a church wedding and want timeless, elegant photos, I’d love to capture your special day. Get in touch today to chat about your wedding plans!
📷 Follow me on Instagram: @katyabrowne_photography
For my full church pre-wedding checklist, check out my blog on The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Church & Marquee Wedding at Home
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