Morning vs. Evening Family Photos: Which Should You Choose?
You’ve decided you want to schedule some family, but now you are wondering “Should we do morning or evening photos?” Golden hour and sunset get most of the attention, a morning session can be just as beautiful and can be a great choice too.
Why time of day matters
Photography is all about light, the word photography itself means “drawing with light”. And different times of day have different types of light. Midday light can be bright and creates harsh shadows. The hour or two after sunrise and before sunset is considered “golden hour” because of the soft golden light the sun creates from the angle it is in the sky. The hour before sunrise and after sunset is called “blue hour” for the cool tones you get when the sun is just below the horizon.
The golden hours are generally the most popular for photo because the soft light creates flattering skin tones and even lighting. But is morning or evening better for your family?
Morning Family Photo Session
Why you may want to do a morning photo session:
You have you have little kids and they have more energy and are generally happier in the morning
Everyone is well rested and ready for the day
Cooler temperatures in the summer time
Locations tend to be less crowded
Things to consider for a morning photo session:
Earlier wake up time
Planning around getting everyone ready and having breakfast before the shoot
Evening Family Photo Session
Why you may want to do an evening photo session:
Beautiful rich colors and a dreamy atmosphere
A more relaxed schedule to explore and have fun during the day before your shoot
Plenty of time to get ready before the shoot
Vibrant skies and glowy backlighting
Things to consider for an evening session:
Little kids (and adults) can be tired at the end of the day
Late summer golden hour can interfere with beds times
Locations can be more crowded
Every family is different, have different needs and schedules. The best time for your photo session is when fits your families natural rhythm, because a happy, relaxed, rested family makes for better pictures than any kind of light.