The Magic of Golden Hour
Seattle and Eastside Senior and Family Photographer
I hate to admit it, but before I started learning photography, I had no clue what golden hour was.
Yep, you read that right.
I had no clue. I mean, I had always loved the soft glowing light that occurs right before sunset/after sunrise from a spectators perspective, but I didn’t know how wonderful it was until I started to study light and the way it played on subjects in college. And, I am not alone. I get so many questions about when to schedule photo sessions for the best light as well as people scheduling sessions for the worst, harsh noon light because clients don’t necessarily know the best times to schedule their session for this magical light either. I mean, the more light the better, right?
Nope. When it comes to photography, the time of day and the light matter. A lot. But don’t worry. In this blog post, I will tell you the why behind choosing golden hour for your family and graduation portraits.
So what is golden hour?
It’s that dreamy time just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft, warm, and perfect for capturing stunning family and senior photos.
Why Golden Hour? Golden hour light enhances the natural beauty of every photo, giving you and your family a warm glow and making colors, the ones you wear and the colors all around you, pop. It’s the best time to create timeless, magical images. During a golden hour photo session, the sun is lower in the sky and it bathes everything it touches in warm, even light. It is ideal for capturing backlight (that gorgeous halo of light behind a person), sun bursts, sun flares, and silhouettes.
Timing Tips For the best natural light, plan your session about an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset. This timing varies slightly depending on the season, so it’s always good to check the local times for sunrise and sunset.
See the Difference Here are some examples of golden hour magic from my recent sessions. Notice the beautiful, warm light that creates such a special atmosphere.
Book Your Session Don’t miss out on this perfect lighting! Book your senior session during golden hour for those gorgeous, glowing photos. Let’s capture your milestone in the best light possible. Click the highlighted links to book today: Senior Photography | Family Photography.
Want to see full golden hour sessions?
What does a golden hour session look like? Depending on the package you purchase, we start our golden hour sessions with a buffer. If your session is less than an hour, we time the session accordingly. Not all photos in a gallery are during golden hour. Golden hour only lasts for about 20 minutes, so we will choose locations based on the timing of golden hour. Once golden hour starts, we work to maximize the session and get as many great golden hour shots as we possibly can. Want a closer look at a full Seattle, Olympic Sculpture Park senior portrait session or an Eastside, Duvall family portrait session? Click the links below:
When choosing the right time for your family photos, take into consideration how you want your photos to look and feel. Do you want that warm, golden glow? Then an evening golden hour session is the right choice for you. Want to read more about how to prepare for a golden hour sessions with your family, see this blog post.
I cannot wait to make some magic with you in the golden sunshine this year. What are you waiting for? Book a session today and check Family or graduating Senior Portrait session off your to-do list today.
Katie
