Hudson Valley Outdoor Lifestyle Storytelling Photographer
Golden Hour and How I Time My Sessions
This is by far my most commonly asked question! Why do I time sessions when I do? How can a half hour make a difference in our start time? And what is “golden hour” exactly? I answer all of it for you here!
My guess is the reason you have chosen me as your photographer is because you have seen my photos on my website or social media, and thought how you would love photos like that for your family. That is the best complement to me! That you love my art so much that you choose to invest into my process, so that I can create beautiful images for your family. I time my sessions very carefully. It is one of the most important aspects to my photography. I look at the weather, the lighting, how strong our sun will be, and if there is any cloud cover. From there, I come up with a start time, that will let me to shoot in such a way that will allow me to use the light to elevate your portraits. So, to address some FAQs!
-Why do I time my sessions the way I do? High sun yields harsh light, shadows, and unflattering skin tones in portraits. I do sometimes shoot in harsh light when I want to get a little creative, but I don’t think you would want those photos hanging on your wall! My goal is to provide you with the best images I can of your family. Right after sunrise and right before sunset, when the sun is very low in the sky, is the most magical lighting for portraits. Deviating from this time, even a little bit, results in high sun… and you got it- unflattering light!
-How can a half hour make a difference in start time? I promise it does! If you really want to understand why, pay attention to where the sun is in the sky at any given day as it gets closer to sunset. Watch at how high the sun is at 6pm, as opposed to 7pm, if there is an 8pm sunset. Right before it dips into the horizon is that sweet spot that I look for- which is why I am very specific with my timing.
-What is “golden hour”? – Golden hour refers to the hour right before sunset, and right after sunrise. It is a common term among photographers as a pretty amazing time to be photographing- whether it is people or landscape- or both! All of my outdoor sessions are held during golden hour
Ultimately, I want the best photographs for your family. You are investing into me for a reason, and I take that very seriously! If there are small kids involved, and you may be worried about timing relating to bedtimes and your kids’ schedules, please reach out, so I can offer tips and advice for a successful session!
