options for transition lenses in outdoor portraits

eyeglasses with transition lenses?
there’s options when photographing outside

If you’re considering outside portraits for yourself or your family be aware if anyone has eyeglasses with transition lenses—the kind that get darker when they’re exposed sunlight. These kinds of lenses react to the sun’s UV rays and automatically turn dark to protect the eyes looking through them. This is great for the wearer but not so great for the portraits.

There’s no way to remove the darkness from transition lenses

No Photoshop trickery will allow me to remove the darkness from transition lenses, but the good news is there are some things you can do to avoid having your eyes blacked out in portraits.

Remove your glasses for the session

If you don’t always wear eyeglasses you might consider removing them for your session. However, if you, and your family, are used to seeing you bespeckled I don’t suggest taking them off for portraits as you won’t look your natural self.

Wear an old pair that still looks stylish but doesn’t have transition lenses

You may have an older pair of eyeglasses without transition lenses that still look good on you, even if the prescription is no longer current. Consider wearing those for your session.

Ask your optical shop if they have a pair you can borrow for your session

Many opticians and optical shops will loan you a pair of blank frames for your session. Often you can get an exact match to your current frames or something so close that no one will know.

Consider a studio portrait instead

If none of these options work for you, consider having your session done in my studio where the lights won’t cause your lenses to darken.