What time should I choose for my photo session appointment?
One of the more frequent questions I get in regards to booking a photography session is about the lighting at different times of the day. I currently book sessions in the few hours leading up to sunset. In the Summer time this is usually 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:45 pm. While ‘golden hour’ lighting (the hour just before sunset) is always a favorite due to the soft shadows and warm, glowey look of the images, the other appointment times can yield gorgeous lighting as well if the proper technique is used when shooting.
In the photos below you can see the difference in lighting comparing the ‘golden hour’ session vs the ‘2-3 hours before sunset’ session. I always shoot with the sun at clients backs so that they are not looking directly into the light and squinty. This provides a soft, glowing image result with even lighting on clients faces no matter the time of day the session is booked. There is a difference in coloring as you can see the golden hour session has sunset colors in the sky, while the earlier session has more of the ‘bright and airy’ look with white, or blue skies.
There are benefits to each appointment time beyond the look of the lighting. Some people prefer the earlier time for children’s schedules, while late evening sessions have the benefit of cooler temps. The time you choose really depends on what aspects you value the most.
GOLDEN HOUR
2-3 HOURS BEFORE SUNSET
Benefits of the earlier session times
Families with young children often prefer an earlier appointment time to accomodate their child’s bedtime. Booking an earlier time that suits children can produce a happier mood and better results. I am sure we can all agree that photo sessions go a lot smoother when children are in a good mood!
Benefits of the ‘golden hour’ session time
One of the benefits to booking a later session at golden hour is the fact that the temperature is cooler out. In Charleston, the Summer months can be up to 100 degrees mid-day with high humidity levels. The sand is hot to walk on, so I usually advise clients to keep their shoes on until we get down to the wet sand near the ocean edge. The later in the day you book your session, the cooler the temperature will be. Usually around sunset the beach cools off to around 70-80 degrees depending on the month. But either way, I certainly advise you wear something cool!
PHOTO ABOVE WAS SHOT AT GOLDEN HOUR
Overall, deciding on a time for your photo session is really your decision. Only you know your children's moods, how sensitive your eyes are to the sun, and your tolerance level to heat. But know that whatever time you decide to book, we will get pretty lighting and that warm, glowey style that you see showcased on my website!
PHOTO BELOW WAS SHOT 2-3 HOURS BEFORE SUNSET
