How to Nail Outdoor Wedding Photography: 13 Expert Tips

As a wedding photographer who prefers natural light over complex off-camera flash setups, being able to shoot portraits outdoors is always my aim. 

In the UK, I face my own set of challenges with our unpredictable weather, but on any given wedding day, we can all deal with everything from harsh midday sun to fast-moving timelines, reducing the time we have with our couple. 

After shooting hundreds of weddings, I’ve come to realise that the best outdoor wedding photography comes from a mix of preparation, intuition, and letting go of ‘chasing perfection’. This guide will share some practical techniques and mindset shifts that help me create natural, refined images. I prefer my sessions to feel relaxed, not like a posed photoshoot, and the guide will reflect that. 

Tip #1: Gear and Accessories for Outdoor Weddings

Yes, gear matters, but it’s how you use it that really counts. For outdoor weddings, I like to keep it simple. My go-to kit includes a full-frame mirrorless camera (I use a Sony A7IV), a versatile 28–70mm lens, and a 50mm prime. A lens cloth is a must-have for unexpected raindrops, and I always carry a flash for creative night shots.

For a deeper dive into essential gear, check out this guide: 10 Essential Wedding Photography Accessories or my guide on the best cameras for wedding photography

Tip #2: Best Camera for Outdoor Wedding Photography

Your camera should be reliable, weather-sealed if possible, and good at handling low light. I use the Sony A7IV, but honestly, you can create beautiful outdoor wedding photos with most modern mirrorless cameras. Look for a system that fits your style and feels intuitive in your hands. If I were building a new kit today, I would look at the Nikon Z5 II. 

Tip #3: Camera Settings for Outdoor Wedding Photoshoot

For outdoor wedding shoots, I keep it simple:

• ISO: 100–400 during the day, higher at night. Don’t be afraid to crank it up.My Sony handles 12800 ISO like a champ, and tools like Aftershoot’s AI editing make noise reduction a breeze.
• Aperture: Wide open (f/1.4–f/2.8) for dreamy portraits, f/4+ for group shots.
• Shutter Speed: 1/200 or higher to freeze motion.
• White Balance: Auto most of the time, or set to Cloudy for consistency.
• Shooting Mode: Aperture Priority with Auto ISO, switching to Manual for flash or creative effects.

Tip #4: What to Wear as a Photographer

Your outdoor wedding photography can be impeccable, but impressions matter. Your outfit can impact how couples and guests perceive you. You want to blend in, stay comfortable, and have enough flexibility to crouch, climb, and move with ease. For practical advice, check out What to Wear as a Wedding Photographer.

Tip #5: Start with the Light, Follow with the Location

It’s easy to be drawn to a beautiful backdrop, but if the light isn’t working, your photos won’t shine. I always read the light first and look for open shade, backlight, or natural reflectors like pale walls or paths. Then, I’ll build my composition around it.

I often place my couple at the edge of the light, using trees or structures to diffuse harsh sun and add depth. 

Tip #6: Don’t Over-Direct

I try to make my couples as comfortable as possible. I recommend keeping your pose prompts light and natural. Instead of rigid instructions, I’ll say things like:

“Walk slowly and chat like I’m not here.”

“Hold hands and take in that view.”

“Pause for a second and enjoy the moment.”

The goal is real emotions, and that won’t come by moving them into awkward positions or telling them to ‘smile’.

Tip #7: Work with the Weather

Outdoor weddings mean rolling with whatever the skies throw at you. Cloudy days equal soft, flattering light. Sunny days will mean embracing backlighting or finding shade. For wedding photos in the rain, clear umbrellas and tighter compositions work wonders, and puddles make great reflections.

Tip #8: Let the Landscape Talk

The venue’s surroundings are part of your outdoor wedding photography story. I love wide shots that include rolling hills, tree lines, or architectural features. Let your wedding couple wander through the frame for ‘hero images’ that will really breathe life into a gallery.

Tip #9: Outdoor Night Photography Settings

Evening outdoor portraits can be a creative playground. I shoot wide open (f/1.4–f/2), bump up ISO, and embrace ambient light sources like fairy lights or sparklers. 

I’ll also use direct flash for a bold, editorial vibe, which means setting my aperture around f/5.6 and firing the flash directly at the couple. 

Don’t fear grain. Modern cameras and AI editing make it easy to clean up in post.

Read our guide on Top Wedding Photography Trends to Watch Out For

Tip #10: Streamline Post-Production

Outdoor weddings mean varied lighting. On one day, you will usually deal with sun, shade, golden hour, and nighttime. 

Editing a big gallery can feel overwhelming. That’s why I use Aftershoot to cull and edit my photos. After a wedding, I load everything into Aftershoot to quickly cull duplicates, blinks, and help choose the best shots. 

Then I run my custom AI editing profile, which gets me 80–90% of the way there. I fine-tune in Lightroom for a polished, consistent gallery.

Tip #11: Bring a Wide-Angle Lens for Creative Outdoor Shots

A wide-angle lens (like a 24mm or 35mm) lets you play with perspective and include more of the scene. It’s great for storytelling shots, images of the couple in a landscape, or direct flash portraits at night. Check out my ultimate list of best lens for wedding photographers

Tip #12: Use the Setting Sun for Silhouettes

Here's your next outdoor wedding photoshoot idea - for silhouettes at golden hour, position your couple between you and the sun, expose for the sky, and let the shapes tell the story. It’s simple, creative, and timeless.

Tip #13: Quick List of Outdoor Pose Ideas

Need prompt inspiration? Try:

• Walking through a field hand in hand.
• A quiet moment under a tree.
• Foreheads together in golden light.
• A wide shot with the couple framed in a doorway or arch.
• Dancing under festoon lights.

For more ideas, check out How to Photograph a Wedding, or here's a good list of outdoor wedding pose ideas to try

A Story Worth Remembering

Outdoor wedding photography means being ready for anything—shifting light, unexpected weather, and fleeting moments. But no matter the conditions, what matters most is capturing the connection, the composition, and the story as it unfolds.

With Aftershoot by your side, you can spend less time behind the screen and more time doing what you do best: creating meaningful images in the moment.