The "Golden Hour" Effect

If you’ve ever marveled at the soft, warm glow of a photograph that seems to capture a scene bathed in a golden light, you’ve likely encountered the magic of “golden hour.” This is the moment each day when the sun is low on the horizon and offers a unique opportunity for photographers to create images with beauty and depth. But what exactly makes golden hour so special, and why should it be a key component of your portrait session?

What is Golden Hour? Why Timing Matters in Photography

Golden hour refers to the period shortly after sunrise and just before sunset. During this time, the sun's rays travel through a greater thickness of the Earth's atmosphere, scattering shorter blue and green wavelengths and allowing the longer red and orange wavelengths to predominate. This results in a warm, diffused light that can transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary images.

Why Golden Hour is a Photographer’s Dream

Soft, Flattering Light

Unlike the harsh, direct light of midday, the golden hour offers a softer, more diffused illumination. This gentler light minimizes shadows and reduces the contrast between light and dark areas, making it ideal for family portraits. The result of this even, flattering light is the enhancement of textures and colors without the stark contrasts that can sometimes lead to overexposed highlights or underexposed shadows. Shadows are also reduced, creating a more balanced and gentle lighting backdrop.

Warm, Rich Tones

The golden hour light washes scenes with rich, warm tones that add depth and emotion to your photographs. This golden hue can make portraits more radiant, creating a visually stunning effect that’s hard to replicate at other times of the day.

Dreamy Skin Tones

The warm light during golden hour tends to give skin tones a natural, radiant glow. It can make the skin look more vibrant and flattering. The lighting also reduces harsh contrasts and minimizes the appearance of blemishes and imperfections. This can result in smoother, even looking skin.

Golden hour is more than just a time of day; it’s a golden opportunity for photographers to capture stunning, memorable images that are infused with warmth and depth. By understanding and harnessing the unique qualities of this light, I can capture and create images that resonate with beauty and emotion. I will always begin our photo session an hour and a half before sunset to use the dreamy effects of golden hour to make you love how you look in your images!