Lens Flare Magic in Wedding Photography
Editor’s Picks: Lens Flare Magic in Wedding Photography
There’s something undeniably romantic about lens flare in wedding photography. Used to make light wrap a couple in a golden glow, or showcase a stunning sunset, the technique can add warmth, drama, and even a touch of magic to a photograph.
For amateur photographers, lens flare often happens by accident when light scatters in the lens creating shifting colors and creating artifacts. However, that doesn’t hold true for the photographers featured here in our Editor’s Picks Collection because they have mastered lens flare as an art form. With the intention to create atmosphere, amplify emotion, and add a distinctive style to their work, all of these artists deserve applause. Here are our top selections from the Lens Flare category, each one a masterclass in turning light into photos that wow their clients and inspire other photographers.
1. TKshotz Photography
Set against an urban skyline, this couple’s kiss is illuminated by a glowing ring of light. Here, TKshotz Photography used lens flare to create a perfect golden halo, blending the romance of the day with the energy of the city.
2. Chrisman Studios
Ben Chrisman of Chrisman Studios is known as a storyteller who adds bold, emotional portraits to his wedding collections. Capturing this couple as the sun dips low, he produces a warm halo that hugs their silhouettes. The result is both an intimate and dramatic blend of shadow, light, and emotion that makes this shot stand out from the crowd.
3. Bas Uijlings Photography and Film
Walking hand in hand through tall, sunlit grass, the couple in this image is bathed in the beautiful light of the setting sun. Capturing the glow of the landscape and the couple’s connection, Bas Uijlings Photography and Film brilliantly used lens flare to enhance the natural colors and capture this timeless moment.
4. Angela Nelson Photography
In this uplifting portrait, a couple stands surrounded by vibrant flowers as the setting sun flares dramatically in the background. In her signature style, Maui luxury wedding photographer Angela Nelson combined the lush color with a glowing burst of light to produce a work of art that is alive with romance and atmosphere.
5. Vinson Images
Jason Vinson is known for his wow-factor work and this photograph is just one of his showstoppers. Framed beneath a mirrored sculpture of an octopus, a couple’s silhouette is dramatically highlighted by the midday sun. Jason used lens flare to give the scene an otherworldly quality along with the perfect combination of relaxed posing and bold composition.
6. Myriam Ménard
Known for her wildly romantic style, Myraim Ménard, creates photography that is modern, yet timeless. Here she uses the body language of the couple and the misty sunset light to create an intimate photo that you can see and feel. It’s a wonderful example of using lens flare softly and subtly to capture quiet emotion.
7. Aimee Flynn Photo
On the beaches of Oregon, a bride twirls barefoot in the sand, her skirt catching the wind as the sun flares behind her. Aimee Flynn Photo’s lens transforms the moment into a dreamy celebration of freedom and joy. The gentle haze, shimmering particles in the air, and the soft backlight combine to create a scene that feels both spontaneous and cinematic.
8. Notarius Photography – The Bridal Exit
Stepping out of a vintage car, a bride pauses just as the setting sun spills through the door, catching her veil and gown in a burst of gold. Notarius Photography turns what could have been a simple candid into a cinematic moment, using lens flare to highlight the textures and details of the bride’s ensemble.
9. Wes Shinn Photography and Film
On a windswept peak, an engaged couple shares a kiss as the sun creates a perfect circular flare around them. Wes Shinn Photography and Film balances the drama of the mountaintop setting with the intimacy of the moment, to create a powerful photo for this couple on the beginning of their wedding journey.
10. The Crawfords Photography
Perched on the edge of a rocky overlook in the Mt. Baker National Forest, a couple stands hand in hand, the sunlight spilling over a jagged mountain peak and fanning out in perfect rays. Immortalizing a feeling of awe and connection with nature, The Crawfords placed the sunburst in the center of the frame to illuminate the couple and give them a work of art well worth framing and sharing.
Why Couples Love Lens Flare Photography
For couples planning their wedding or engagement shoot, an artist proficient in lens flare photography can add photos to their collection that are nothing short of extraordinary Here’s why it works so well:
- Adding Atmosphere – Lens flare naturally softens an image, making it feel dreamy and cinematic.
- Drawing Focus – It directs the viewer’s eye toward the couple, framing them in natural light.
- Enhancing Emotion – Warm light is symbolic of hope, of warmth, of love. When used intentionally, it amplifies the emotional impact of a photograph.
From subtle golden glows to dramatic sunbursts, these Editor’s Picks show just how varied and powerful lens flare can be.
If you’re a couple looking for wedding photos that feel alive, emotional, and unforgettable, follow the photographers listed here or in our highly-vetted directory. After all, your deserve photographs that are nothing short of extraordinary.
- TK Shotz @tkshotz
- Ben Chrisman @chrismanstudios
- Bas Uijlings @bas_uijlings
- Angela Nelson Photography @angelanelsonphoto
- Vinson Images @vinsonimages_jason
- Myriam Ménard @myriammenardphoto
- Aimee Flynn Photo @aimeeflynnphoto
- Notarius Photography @notariusphotography
- Wes Shinn Photography and Film @w.shinn
- The Crawfords Photography @thecrawfords_photography
