The Best Time of Day for Outdoor Family Photos
Timing is everything when it comes to outdoor portrait sessions. Getting stunning natural light is the very first step for magical family photos. Here are my tips so you can schedule the best time of day for your family session!
Golden Hour: The perfect light for outdoor sessions
The famous “golden hour” happens twice each day: just after sunrise and just before sunset. Morning golden hour starts right at sunrise and lasts for about 90 minutes. The light is crisp and clean with a warm glow. (So flattering for skin tones). And since we’re out so early, we often have locations completely to ourselves without the crowds. Early morning sessions mean cooler temperatures in the summer months. And kids often are in their best moods in the morning!
Evening golden hour, on the other hand, starts about an hour and a half before sunset and lasts until 30 minutes before sunset. It’s soft, golden and glowy, and it means you don’t have to get up super early for your session. Some locations can be crowded, but I also have some hidden gems that are still quiet and somewhat private!
Late morning or Early Afternoon
If you love the idea of golden hour, but the sunrise or early morning times are too early, and the sunset times are too late, I have a couple other options for you! I have a few locations that photograph beautifully later in the morning around 8 / 8:30 or 9, and also in the late afternoon. Just let me know you’re interested in those options at booking, and I can tell you which locations I recommend so you still get gorgeous light and beautiful backdrops!
DC Monuments – Sunrise only
If you’re interested in having your photos taken on the National Mall, the only option I offer is right at sunrise. This is to give you the very best light at that location and ensure there aren’t huge crowds in all of your photos. When it gets busy, it can be very difficult for kids to focus on the photos, and your photos just won’t have that magical look you see in my portfolio. So for that reason, I only offer them at sunrise.
As always, I’m here to guide you in choosing the perfect start time AND location for your session! I guide my clients every step of the way so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Interested in working together? Inquire below to learn more about booking a session!
