The Golden Hour – What is it?

What is the “golden hour”? One of my favorite things as a photographer is to be able to capture these amazing, magical images of my clients in a perfect sunset. The photos almost look like something from a storybook – perfect glowing skin, soft shadows and flattering highlights.

There are many factors that contribute to creating a stunning gallery of images for my clients. As a professional photographer I know that the absolute most important contributor to my work is light. Photography itself is the art of recording reflected light. I know that the better my light is, the more amazing my images will be. The stronger and harsher the sun, the less appealing my images will be.

I always try to photograph all of my sessions about an hour prior to sunset. This time of day is lovingly referred to as the “golden hour” of photography. This “golden hour” – sometimes also known as the “magic hour” – is that last hour of the day when the sun drops low on the horizon creating a soft warm glow.

As a professional photographer I always recommend that my clients schedule their session just before sunset. Many families have young children and are hesitant to book during a time when their kids are usually at their crankiest. Some great tips to combat this is to book your session in spring or fall when sunset is earlier. Making sure your kids have had a good nap and have eaten dinner are great ways to ensure they will be happier when it is time to get in front of the camera.

Next time you schedule your family photo session make sure to schedule it during the “golden hour”. You will be amazed at how gorgeous your images are!