Are you scheduled for a photo session soon? Or want to take some photos of your own? Lighting plays a huge role in the ultimate look and feel of your photos. And that’s why you hear a lot of photographers talk about “the golden hour”. The hours right before sunset. I am HAPPY to tell you though that you do not need to stress yourself out by only taking photos during golden hour. Although having the beautiful sunset in the background makes for that buttery, yummy saturated color, it is not the only ideal time to take photos. I have lived by the myth of “only doing sessions in the evening” before, and I am happy to say that all lighting makes for awesome photos and different perspectives. Is the golden hour the only hour to take great photos?
Morning
Morning shoots are awesome because you get to wake up and kill it! Taking senior photos? You can get it done and have the rest of your day to embrace the entire experience of getting your senior pictures done. Go shopping or out to lunch and enjoy special time with the people you brought with you.
Engagement pics? Starting the day snuggling up with your loved one is my personal favorite start to a day. Maybe even grab breakfast after?
A fun family shoot? Get the kids while they’re still … clean…I mean full of energy and smiles.
I love the morning light because everything feels bright and cheery! If you want to start at sunrise- you can still get that beautiful golden view, and only become brighter yet! If you like brighter photos, gorgeous bright colors, with soft highlights (and coffee!) then morning may be a great fit for you.
High Noon/Afternoon
During high noon/afternoon shoots, we have fun experimenting and bringing new perspectives into the lens. It might surprise you, but this is one of my favorite times of the day to photograph! I love all of the gorgeous bright highlights, seeing so far with the clear sky, and the overall light look of the photos.
I love seeing my clients in direct sun to add a different dynamic, seeing the colors explode, and a chance to be extra creative. Plus, that sun flatters wrinkles and lines!
I also love how being in the shade makes an even light over the subject- because there is so much of it!
This is also a great time to shoot if its cloudy. Clouds create a natural “softbox/studio” look when you’re outdoors! With the sun adding less highlights, the greens and blues pop and you have the ability to take photos really anywhere! It is important to face the subject towards the sun on an overcast day to avoid adding extra shadows over the eyes and face.
Golden Hour
Golden hour is the hour we see on Instagram on the daily. Sunsets in the background are so beautiful casting a golden hue, thus the name. I am a person who loves contrast, so my new friends and I take advantage of this hour quite often. The positioning of the sun lower in the sky allows the colors to be bright while revealing depths in your photos.
Blue Hour
Blue hour is right when the sun sets below the horizon and the ambient glow changes from yellow to blue. This hour has been avoided for a long time because of the difficulty in finding light and making the photos look bright, but I think it reveals some of the most beautiful, moody, dramatic shots. I personally love this hour. I take photos with my pal facing the last few glimpses of the sun with the moon rising behind. This hour gives the colors lots of depth, making all the photos from this hour seem dramatic, intimate, and intense. It really provides all the feels.
Any Hour Can Be Golden
My personal experience is that any light can be great light. All of the stories I photograph have so much to offer that they can expect great results any hour of the day. Sure, I make adjustments and plan ahead, but don’t let anyone tell you that the “golden hour” is the ONLY hour. Each hour of the day offers a light that can be used for capturing real moments and match your true story perfectly. I’m so thankful to talk through light based on what you want your photos to say about you and plan accordingly.
I love all lighting. I love that I can add so much dynamic and creativity to a collection just by utilizing what the sun has given me throughout an entire day of taking photos. So is the golden hour the only hour to take great photos? Nope. Ultimately, I feel really blessed to be able to give people an experience to see the light in their story and capture that in a way that is really beautiful, unique, and authentic.