Why are golden hour portraits so important?
Everyone wants the most beautiful, glowing photos of them and their soul mate on their wedding day, but so many couples I work with have never heard of golden hour portraits, let alone why they're important. In this post, I'll discuss what golden hour is, four reasons why it's an amazing opportunity for portraits, and how you can take advantage of this warm, magical part of your day. But first, let's check out some golden hour portraits I've taken with my couples in the past to give you an idea of what they're like!
What is Golden Hour?
Golden hour is the last hour before sunset or the first hour shortly after sunrise. Due to the angle of the sun on the horizon, the light is softer and more golden, which creates some of the most flattering photos. My couples always tell me how much they love their golden hour photos and how glad they were that we captured them.
Why Make Time for Golden Hour Portraits?
Besides the obvious, there are several reasons why you should make time in your timeline for golden hour.
- Alone Time. Your wedding day is going to fly by. It's nice to know that you'll have some alone time with your special someone to soak in that "just married" feeling and celebrate together. Chances are you've also had a very busy day and will want some downtime to relax and unwind.
- Family Heirloom. You'll want to put these photos on your walls, in your wedding album, and pass them down to future generations. Couples portraits are so special!
- Extra Portrait Time. We should have time for portraits earlier in the day, but it doesn't hurt to squeeze in some extra time just in case. That also means you'll have a variety of couples portraits to choose from.
- Best Lighting. As I mentioned earlier, this is the best time of day for portraits and I can promise these will be some of your absolute favorites!
How To Make Time For Your Portraits.
Excited to capture some golden hour portraits of your own? As your photographer, I'd be more than happy to help you! Here are a few ways you can be prepared so you don't miss out on this beautiful time of day.
- Schedule Them In Your Timeline. When you're putting together a timeline, ask your photographer what time they recommend for golden hour portraits so you can set aside a time to slip away.
- Choose a private location. Choose a place where your portraits can be secluded but close by. Just make sure that your guests won't be able to walk over to you while your portraits are taking place. If you have a golf cart or side by side (some venues will offer this option), you can have a driver whisk us away for a half hour or so. Not only will it help you both relax, but it'll also make for better portraits since you'll feel way more comfortable in front of the camera.
- Give Your Guests Something To Do. Maybe golden hour falls around the time you plan for cocktail hour, or maybe the dance floor will be grooving. As long as your guests are preoccupied, they won't mind if you wander off for a little bit.
If you're just starting to plan your wedding and don't even know where to start, don't hesitate to reach out! I have tons of planning tips and advice that will help you navigate through the wedding planning process. It seems intimidating at first, but I'd be happy to share my professional experience to take away that overwhelm and, together, we'll lay out a seamless wedding day experience.
