Planning afternoon family portraits at the Elizabeth Gamble Garden? While many people assume the middle of the day is an ideal time for family photos because everyone is awake and available, the reality is that afternoon sessions can present some unique lighting challenges. Fortunately, with the right planning and an experienced photographer, you can still create beautiful family portraits.
Here are three important tips to help you get the most out of your afternoon family portraits at the Elizabeth Gamble Garden.
1. Whenever Possible, Choose the Morning or Evening Instead
The very first recommendation I give families is to schedule their portrait session during the early morning or the last couple of hours before sunset whenever their schedule allows.
During these times of day, the sun sits lower in the sky, creating soft, flattering light that produces beautiful skin tones, gentle shadows, and comfortable temperatures. This type of lighting is ideal for natural family portraits because everyone looks their best.
Sometimes, however, busy work schedules, school activities, sports, or travel plans leave the afternoon as the only option. If that’s the case, don’t worry—it doesn’t mean you can’t have wonderful portraits. It simply means your photographer will need to be much more intentional when selecting locations and working with the available light.
2. Afternoon Family Portraits at the Elizabeth Gamble Garden Require the Right Location
One of the biggest factors in creating successful afternoon family portraits at the Elizabeth Gamble Garden is choosing locations that offer plenty of open shade.
Open shade occurs when your family is protected from direct sunlight while still being illuminated by the open sky. Instead of harsh sunlight hitting your faces, the light becomes soft, even, and flattering.
The Elizabeth Gamble Garden offers several wonderful shaded areas throughout the property. Large trees, garden pathways, and landscaped areas provide excellent opportunities to create beautiful portraits, even during the middle of the day.
An experienced photographer will continually move throughout the gardens, selecting backgrounds that not only look beautiful but also provide the most flattering light available.
3. More Light Doesn’t Mean Better Portraits
One of the biggest misconceptions about portrait photography is that bright sunshine automatically creates better photographs.
In reality, the opposite is often true.
The afternoon sun creates very harsh overhead lighting that can produce strong shadows beneath the eyes, nose, and chin. It can also cause people to squint, create shiny skin, and result in uneven lighting across faces.
While there is certainly plenty of light available, it’s not the kind of light that produces the most flattering portraits. This is why professional photographers spend so much time searching for shade and carefully positioning families during afternoon sessions.
By avoiding direct sunlight and using softer lighting instead, your family portraits will have a much more polished and timeless appearance.
Final Thoughts
Although I typically recommend scheduling sessions in the early morning or evening, there are plenty of situations where an afternoon session makes the most sense for your family. When that happens, selecting the right location becomes incredibly important.
Fortunately, afternoon family portraits at the Elizabeth Gamble Garden can still be absolutely beautiful thanks to the many shaded garden paths, mature trees, and peaceful landscapes found throughout the property. With thoughtful planning and an understanding of how light behaves throughout the day, you can create timeless family portraits that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
If your schedule only allows an afternoon session, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to help you choose the best locations within the Elizabeth Gamble Garden and create beautiful family portraits regardless of the time of day.
