Golden Hour Photos
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Golden Hour Photos
Every couple dreams of soft, glowing wedding portraits. You know the ones – those glowing images at sunset on Pinterest that get you lost in a wedding day daydream! Those dreamy images often happen during Golden Hour. Golden Hour is the short period before sunset or after sunrise. During this time, natural light looks warm, soft, and flattering. You’d be hard pressed to find a photographer without Golden Hour photos in their website gallery!
Golden Hour Photos create romantic skin tones and beautiful golden highlights. Additionally, they give wedding galleries a timeless and cinematic feel. However, these photos need thoughtful planning to work perfectly. It’s common knowledge that wedding day schedules often don’t run to plan. People are late, things go wrong and the schedule gets behind.
By working with your photographer and wedding planner, you can count on creating incredible Golden Hour Photos without feeling rushed.
Talk to Your Photographer Early
Start discussing Golden Hour during your wedding planning process. Sunset times change throughout the year. Therefore, your photographer can recommend the best timing for portraits. Listen to their advice and work your wedding day schedule around this. Remember, the day will pass but you’ll have your photos forever. Some extra time worked into your schedule for Golden Hour photos is so worth it.
Summer weddings often have later sunsets. Meanwhile, winter weddings usually reach Golden Hour much earlier. Because of this, your timeline should match the season and venue location. You may need to be flexible to make everything work together. For example, a summer Golden Hour may mean dinner starting later for your guests as your reception arrival will be later after photos. How can you keep your guests fed and happy while they wait?
Your photographer has most likely been to your venue before. Ask their advice for the best locations on property to capture Golden Hour. When couples trust their photographer’s advice, the results are always worth it!
Build Extra Time Into Your Timeline
Wedding days move quickly. Family photos, speeches, and dancing can fill your schedule fast. Therefore, adding breathing room is extremely important. Instead of rushing portraits, schedule dedicated time for Golden Hour Photos. Even 15 minutes can completely transform your wedding gallery.
If Golden Hour falls later, perhaps schedule 15 minutes with your photographer outdoors after the reception has started. Many couples hesitate to leave guests during the reception. However, your photographer will be conscious of this and keep things moving. They also give couples a quiet moment together. Pause, breathe, and enjoy your wedding day sunset together.
Stay Flexible During Sunset
Light changes quickly over minutes and even seconds. Weather conditions will also effect Golden Hour photos on your day. The movement of the light means no two photos will be the same and your photographer will use this to your advantage.
Be prepared to be flexible and be ready to move! If your photographer says “quick!”, there’s a reason why. They’re trying to capture that perfect light and sunset waits for no one!
Choose the Right Locations
Be practical about your locations for your Golden Hour photos. If you’re in love with a beach sunset image, your photographer won’t be able to recreate this for you in a rainforest setting. It’s important to work with your available landscape and not against it.
You might have a particular idea in mind for your photos, but let your photographer lead the way. Your idea may not necessarily work well with the available light. Be prepared to hustle to where your photographer places you. Asking questions takes up valuable time when the sun is setting – just trust and go!
Capture Golden Hour Candids With Guest Cam
In the Booth’s Guest Cam always gets a work out during Golden Hour! It’s a great activity to keep guests busy while you’re off having your photos taken. Guests often get a bird’s eye view of your reception or photo time and some of the most beautiful candid pictures will be waiting to surprise you on your USB folio.
Let your guests know via your invitation that Guest Cam will be available so they can download the app and be ready to go. Trust us – once one guest gets snapping, that’s all it takes! Their printed photos make the perfect keepsake if you’re looking for a way to keep costs down too.