There’s something elegant and intimate about wedding photography after the sun sets. We asked Calgary-based photographer Sofia Katherine, who specializes in low-light environments, wedding storytelling, portraits at night, large-scale live music events “and generally anything in a night setting,” to share her top tips and favourite photos. “I typically photograph around 15 weddings and 50 night sessions per year,” she says, “along with a schedule consistently packed with unique low light shoots.”
Here’s how a pro captures the moments when the lights go down.
Today’s Bride: How do you define night photography?
Sofia Katherine: Night photography encompasses capturing images after dark. I categorize it into two main areas: true night photography, which involves shooting in environments with minimal ambient lighting, such as a forest on a moonless night, and ambient night photography, where there is some room lighting present, like at a wedding reception or downtown with the city lights glowing.
TB: Why do you think night wedding photography is so impactful, particularly for weddings?
SK: Nighttime evokes some of life’s most romantic moments: candlelit dinners, fireworks displays, stargazing under a blanket, or cozying up by a warm fire. Night photography, with its inherent romantic and moody ambience, can elevate wedding images, allowing viewers to truly feel the essence of the event rather than just seeing it.
TB: With weddings, nightfall is when the festivities are in full swing. How do you get couples to carve out time during the festivities to take photos? And how much time do you actually need to shoot?
SK: I’ve always advised couples, “Make time for just you two on your wedding day.” After the ceremonial events, I take them away from the reception for a “night shoot.” While their guests enjoy the festivities, the couple spends 15 minutes with me, often doing something fun like sharing a glass of champagne, enjoying a cigar, or taking a leisurely walk to admire the city lights or starry sky. This approach makes the night photoshoot feel less formal and more like a special moment for the couple to cherish.
TB: What tips, if any, do you give wedding couples to make night photography more effective?
SK: My advice for couples is to have patience with their photographer because they may need a few moments to figure out the settings for night, which are not the easiest. I am fast, but it has only come from years of experience. Grab a couple of drinks and just enjoy each other.
TB: What do couples need to know about night photography before they book? Is it right for every couple/every wedding?
SK: We discuss how their venue and timeline choices will impact their night wedding photography desires, similar to the considerations a light and bright photographer might have with their clients. For instance, if a reception venue lacks windows and is very dark, I am delighted. This allows me to use lighting techniques and work my magic in a low-light environment. I often advise couples to schedule me later into the evening. As a result, many couples opt to forgo getting ready photos with me, prioritizing more candid shots of their guests in the evening and night photoshoots at the end of the day.
TB: What makes a venue ideal for night photography?
SK: Somewhere away from city lights where light pollution is at its lowest, such as Jasper, which is a dark sky preserve. Dark sky preserves are protected areas that make a special commitment to protect and preserve the night, reducing or eliminating light pollution in all forms. These areas are best for astrophotography portraits (photos with the stars). If a couple is determined to have night wedding photography on their wedding, we can literally make it happen anywhere because nighttime always happens. There is no rescheduling a wedding; we go out and make the best of what we are given.
TB: What was your most memorable wedding night shoot?
SK: One of the most memorable wedding night shoots was a recent one, where we witnessed the aurora borealis appear literally steps outside the reception venue during the night shoot. Their wedding was scheduled close to a new moon night, ensuring a dark sky, and they deliberately selected a venue away from city lights, allowing the northern lights to bless them from the sky. It was nothing short of magical. The bride had expressed her desire for Northern Lights photos for her wedding, to which I jokingly responded, “You can’t just ask for those, and it would be shocking if you got them.” And indeed, she did.
Sofia Katherine & Co.
@ sofiakatherine.ca
@ sofiakatherinephotography@gmail.com
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