There are many misconceptions surrounding nighttime photoshoots. Clients are worried that the images will come out too dark or shadowy. They worry about the reflective lights from their backgrounds and having red eyes. All of these are of course, valid concerns, but with the right set of tools and previous practice, a skilled photographer can alleviate those worries.

For this particular session, my client, had a birthday reservation at Perry’s Steakhouse in Downtown Dallas. She wanted to capture the elegance of her guests outside of the restaurant prior to the dinner. I anticipated her concerns about the photographs being too dark and when we had our initial consultation, I was ready to reassure her.

A personal goal for myself, is to try and visit each location before every shoot. By doing this, I save myself and the clients time by scouting the best viable locations, or even being able to suggest alternatives based on the traffic, lighting, and general ambiance of an area. Upon my night time visit to Perry’s, I discovered that outside was very well lit thanks to surrounding buildings and the fairy lights they had incorporated in their landscaping, making it an ideal setup.

Although, the location offered plenty of lighting, I wanted to ensure that it would be directed in a flattering manner. I showed up early to the location to assembly my mini studio set which included a c-stand, strobe light, and my octobox. I recommend this because most of these items are lightweight and quick and easy to set up whenever I’m on location.

If you are interested in a night time session, be bold and book it!