Is Golden Hour The Best Time To Take Maternity Portraits?

FAQ: Is Golden Hour The Best Time To Take Maternity Portraits?

One of the most commonly asked questions is, “is golden hour the best time to take maternity portraits?” The short answer is, YES! In general, the best time to take outdoor portraits is going to be in the EARLY morning or in the evening. At this time of the day, the light is soft and flattering – which can make for BEAUTIFUL portraits. But as magical as “golden hour” can be, there are a few things to consider. Here are four things to consider about golden hour maternity portraits 🙂

First And Foremost, What Is “Golden Hour”?

Well, “golden hour” is a photography term that describes the color of light that is typically present as the sun is setting. If you have ever been on your way home from work and have noticed how beautiful the sky looks, this is golden hour! Whether you are taking pictures indoors or outdoors, light has a certain color to it. About 30-45 minutes before the sun sets, the sun gives of bright and vibrant colors that make for really nice images. If you are wondering exactly when the sun will be setting on any given day, you can refer to a sunset calendar.

Golden Hour Is Not Always Golden

Even though golden hour is a great time for maternity portraits, it is not ALWAYS golden. Alexis and Josh took their maternity portraits at Shoreline Lake Park and it was perfect. However, this is not always the case. Instances where the sun is obstructed by clouds will block most of the golden light. Not to worry, the evening time is still going to be one of the best times to take portraits and so the pictures will still turn out great 🙂

Get The Most Out of Golden Hour Based On The Location

Another thing to keep in mind about golden hour is that the location plays a big role. Locations where the sun sets low on the horizon are the best. If the sun happens to be blocked by a building or any other physical barrier, this will limit the magic of golden hour. For example, if the sun is scheduled to set at 7 PM, the sun might actually be completely blocked at 6:30 PM. This really depends on the location. If you are not too familiar with what locations photograph the best during golden hour, check with your Photographer.

Whatever You Do, Arrive On Time or Early!

Last but not least, make sure to show up on time or early to your session. Since the sun will be setting at a specific time, the session will not be able to be extended. After the sun sets, all or most of the natural light will disappear. If you have never been to the location, I recommend arriving at least 10 minutes early. This will give you enough time to park and meet at the session starting point.

Hopefully these tips have answered the question, “is golden hour the best time to take maternity portraits?” Thanks!