What's the best time of day for an outdoor family photoshoot?
As a Maryland family photographer, I get asked when’s the best best time of day to schedule a session for outdoor family portraits. There are some times that are much better than others for family photos. The best time of day is golden hour, but what is golden hour and when is it?
What is Golden Hour?
Golden hour is the time when the sun is low in the sky’s horizon. This time is called “golden hour” because of the golden glow that the sun creates when the sun is low in the sky. There is a red and orange glow that adds warmth and softness to images taken during this time.
When is Golden Hour?
Golden hour is the time right before sunset or shortly after sunrise when the sun is creating a gorgeous golden glow that is very flattering and is perfect for all types of photography, including family photography sessions. Depending on the time of year, golden hour may be longer or shorter. During the summer, you have a longer time in the later afternoon to take advantage of the setting sun. In winter however, with the shorter days, that golden glow doesn’t last quite as long.
Why can’t I schedule a session at anytime of day?
While you can schedule a session at anytime of day, when the sun is low, you don’t have the sometimes harsh conditions that you see at other times of day. For example, the high noon sun can create harsh unflattering shadows. It might also be so bright that you don’t realize you are squinting. That being said, any professional photographer can work with conditions through out the day but most photographers love to take advantage of the flattering light of the early morning and late afternoon sun.
Maryland Outdoor Family Photoshoot
For this outdoor family photo shoot, we had great light during the entire session. For this session, mom really wanted to get updated portraits of her family. There had been so many changes over the past few years, including a new baby that was now almost two. So we wanted to have a fun afternoon where we celebrated where the family is in their journey, and also to create artwork for their home.
It was a great summer afternoon, in a gorgeous location. The one thing that was clear throughout the session is how much love there is in this family. It was my honor to help them document this page in the family’s journey. Best of all, it was great working with mom to get images of the family that she is actually in! Not only were we able to document great images during the session, we also had fun designing a custom gallery of wall art of wrapped canvases that the family will enjoy for years to come.
I help moms document fleeting moments in life, get in more family photos and show your kids that mom was there! If you are interested in creating memories together click on the button below to contact me!
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