What is "Golden Hour" and why do I want it in my photos (or not)?
Golden hour is the hour immediately following sunrise or immediately before sunset. During this time of day the sun is low in the sky, the light is soft and, given the right conditions, beautiful glows, colors casts and skies can appear. The light is flattering on all skin tones, as it's warm and, since the sun is low, there are no harsh shadows on the face. All of these conditions can contribute to amazing photos!

©Chickey Little Photography 2022
There are a number of reasons to choose to shoot during golden hour, but what are the downsides? Well, if we're talking about a family shoot with young children, the most common downside is bedtime. Here in New England, sunset (and sunrise) vary considerably given the time of year. On the longest days of summer, when the weather is nicest for outdoor evening shoots, the sun sets late for a little - typically around 8-9pm, which makes golden hour 7-8pm. While some children are fine staying up past bedtime, others will be less cooperative this time of day. Alternately, first thing in the morning can also be tricky. In the middle of summer sunrise is around 5:30am, making golden hour 5:30-6:30am. Yikes.
For this reason, I often suggest if you want golden hour photos with littles (in New England), to do so in the early spring or late fall, when the sun goes down considerably earlier. Yes, its chillier, but layers and textures are always fun!
Another downside could be that you want more natural looking photos with less drama. Dramatic lighting is an artistic choice, but it doesn't mean it has to be your favorite. Bright bursts of light can mean loss of details - more silhouettes, sun flares over faces, warm skin tones etc. While these can be artistically beautiful, they might not be the style of family portrait you're looking for.


And lastly, when choosing golden hour make sure you are able to be on time! The sun waits for no one, and at sunset it's easy to lose the light quickly, especially if we're in a location with high trees. Even being 5-10 minutes late can cause the whole session to feel very rushed, or worst case, we miss the light entirely.
Pros:
Beautiful, warm skintones
Flattering light
No harsh shadows
Depending on weather conditions, beautiful skies
Sun flares
Glowing images
Front and backlit options
Silhouettes
Artistic Photos
Cons:
Early or late rising/bedtimes
Cranky small children
Chilly temperatures
Warm, artistic photos vs focus on faces and natural, more familiar tones (this is a pro for some)
Must move fast before we lose the light
So, before choosing golden hour because you've heard it's "the best," consider the above information and decide what is right for you and your family. You are beautiful and unique, and whatever you decide is best for you will be the right choice!


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