There’s a good chance that, even if you know absolutely nothing about photography, you’ve heard of the golden hour. This is the magical amount of time when the light is just right for your pictures. Because it is so ethereal, it tends to be my favorite time for family portraits, and I have a feeling it’s about to become your favorite time as well! As a Pittsburgh family photographer, I love nothing more than chatting with moms to plan sessions so they can capture all the milestones that matter the most. Here is why I think you should consider some golden hour family photos!
Why You Will Absolutely Love Golden Hour Family Photos
What Is Golden Hour and Why Is It a Go-To For Photographers?
Before I tell you why I think you are going to love the golden hour for family photos, let’s first talk about what it is. This is the breathtaking time, either right before sunset or right after sunrise. When you hear photographers talk about it, more often than not, they are referring to the evening. While both times are equally as dreamy, sunset just tends to be the preferred time for our clients who keep regular hours.
During this time of day, the world seems to positively transform. The light is warm and gentle, casting its warm glow across the earth. Not only is it lovely to look at with the naked eye, but it also translates beautifully into your pictures! The middle of the day tends to cause harsh glares and intense shadows. It shows off all your flaws and highlights the aspects you might prefer to be obscured. The golden hour, on the other hand, serves as nature’s filter. Instead of shining directly on you, the sun is sinking beneath the horizon, causing better lighting distribution. As a result, it is going to give your pictures this magnificent golden glow. It’s wonderful any time of year, but it plays in really well with the rusty shades throughout the fall.
But What About Bedtime?
A lot of moms still have a hard time committing to golden hour family photos for one simple yet major reason: bedtime. As a photographer, I adore spending my time capturing this heavenly time. As a parent wrestling your dressed-up child in a grain field as they’re getting overstimulated, however, I can understand it might seem less than ideal. Luckily, there are a few ways where you can make this a much better experience for your entire crew.
If you are worried about butting up against your child’s bedtime, you can schedule a sunrise session, or you can find a spot where the golden hour hits earlier. Fields that have a lot of trees are best for this! You can also adjust their naptime and let them snooze a little longer. Bribe them with snacks and have their PJs on hand for the second the session is over. Above all else, however, just let them be themselves. Family portraits are all about capturing those candid moments, and they tend to happen a lot even when your child is stressing you out to the max.
If you still could use a little more convincing, here are all the reasons why I think you will fall in love with golden hour family photo sessions!
Why Moms Love Golden Hour Family Photos!
Glowy and Magical Lighting
I already told you the lighting is phenomenal, but I am going to repeat myself because it is that good. I think the best example of the golden hour doing a lot of the lifting is in the 2005 classic Pride and Prejudice, during the end when Elizabeth walks toward Darcy in the field. The world suddenly transforms from dusk into day as they hold each other, and the light shines through. Any other lighting would have caused this scene to fall a little flat. Instead, the sun adds its own filter. The world is much more romantic and full of possibilities. It’s what really takes the scene and elevates it. And that same golden hour lighting that made us all swoon two decades ago is going to work its same magic on your family photos.
Beyond the romanticism, it is just a good time practically. When you choose golden hour portraits, it will get rid of unwanted shadows, eliminate squinting, and smooth out skin tones. It will also take all those colors you so carefully chose and really make them stand out!
Emotional Portraits
The vibes during the golden hour really do feel so much better. All of a sudden, the stress of the day is just disappearing beyond the horizon, and you realize you are with your favorite people in the entire world. I always find that my clients feel more relaxed throughout this hour, leading to real giggles and more authentic smiles. The other bonus? Because the lighting is so divine, much less needs to be corrected in post-processing. This will help ensure some of the original aspects that might have gotten lost in the editing process are preserved.
Nature at Its Best
You probably spend a lot of your time before your session carefully planning your location. Whether you want downtown pictures or prefer to stick with classic wildflowers, there is a reason why you have chosen this setting. And while your location might be lovely at any time of day, I think you are going to be shocked at just how much it transforms for family photos during golden hour. Suddenly, the entire world comes alive, and nature shines a little brighter. It creates a wonderful layer of depth you didn’t even know was missing.
Create Timeless Portraits
Last but not least, these are going to be portraits that you will want to look at again and again. We’ve all seen photos that go out of style (looking at you, 90s Sears glamour shots), but golden hour portraits transcend fads and time. And because the portraits are far more authentic, you can have actual memories that you will cherish for years to come. Trust me, your golden hour session will bring you pictures that you will want to look at with your future generations!
You Will Absolutely Love The Results Of Your Golden Hour Family Photos
I hope this guide has convinced you that you will love golden hour family photos. Now, you just need the right photographer to be there to capture that magical time. That’s where I come in! I am a Pittsburgh family photographer, and I love working with parents to plan sessions that make the most of each and every season. If you have been considering booking a session for your family, I would love to have a conversation so you can decide if I am the one for your crew! Send me a message today to find out more!
