The Golden Hour and Beyond: When to Schedule Your Outdoor Portrait Session

One of the most important aspects of a successful outdoor portrait session is timing. Choosing the right time of day to shoot can make all the difference in the final product. In this post, I’ll explore the best times of day to shoot outdoor portrait sessions and why they're ideal.

1) Early Morning

The early morning, just after sunrise, is one of the best times of day to shoot outdoor portrait sessions. The light at this time of day is soft and diffused, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. This is especially true on days with clear skies, as the light is less harsh than later in the day. Additionally, early morning sessions are less likely to be disrupted by crowds, making it easier to find the perfect location.

2) Late Afternoon: the Golden Hour

This dreamy image was shot as the sun was setting in the golden hour! Notice the beautiful golden glow backlighting my subject’s long hair.

The late afternoon, just before sunset, is another ideal time of day for outdoor portrait sessions. This time of day is known as the "golden hour" due to the warm and glowing light that's cast over the landscape. This light can create stunning highlights and shadows, adding depth and texture to your photos. Late afternoon sessions can create a romantic and dreamy atmosphere that's perfect for couples or engagement sessions.

3) Just After Sunset: The Blue Hour

The blue hour is a period of time just before sunrise or after sunset, when the sun is below the horizon but there is still some light in the sky. During the blue hour, the remaining sunlight appears mostly blue in color, which is different from the color of the sky on a clear day. This is because the blue wavelengths of sunlight dominate due to ozone absorption. The blue hour is a colloquial term and doesn't have an official definition like dawn or dusk. This magical time of day bathes everything in a soft blue light that creates a truly unique and captivating atmosphere for photography. The blue hour is a wonderful opportunity to experiment with different lighting, shadows, and colors.

4) Overcast days

While early mornings and late afternoons are ideal for outdoor portrait sessions, overcast days can also be a great option. Cloudy skies create soft, diffused light that can be very flattering for portraits. This light can help to minimize harsh shadows and create a more even tone throughout the photo. So if you see cloudy skies…that’s a good thing, and it means you’ll be able to schedule your shoot at any time during the day without worrying about harsh lighting.

5) High Noon/Midday Sun

Due to time constraints, I had to shoot this image at noon in moderately harsh sunlight. Finding ways to pose the subject can solve those harsh shadows on faces.

The one time of day to avoid for outdoor portrait sessions is midday. The sun is at its highest point in the sky, creating harsh and unflattering shadows on the subject's face. The light can be too bright and create a washed-out look to your photos. If you must shoot during midday, try to find a location with plenty of shade or use a diffuser to soften the light. Of course, all rules can be broken, and some wonderful high fashion work can be done with incredibly harsh lighting. As a general rule, avoiding high noon sunlight is best for family portraits.

Conclusion

Choosing the right time of day to shoot outdoor portrait sessions can make all the difference in the final product. The early morning and late afternoon offer soft, warm light that can create stunning photos. Overcast days can also be a great option, while midday should be avoided if possible. Trust Sudberry Photography to capture your outdoor portraits and create beautiful memories that you'll treasure for years to come.