Golden Hour Magic

If you've ever scheduled a photo session and heard your photographer say, "Let's shoot around golden hour," you may have nodded along without really knowing what that means—or why we’re all so obsessed with it. Let’s pull back the curtain on this much-loved time of day and talk about why golden hour really is the secret sauce to beautiful photos.

Golden hour refers to that short window just after sunrise or right before sunset when the sun is low in the sky and the light gets soft, warm, and golden. It’s not just a poetic name—everything truly does look better in this light. It’s flattering, it’s gentle, and it gives images a natural glow that’s hard to replicate any other time of day.

One of the biggest reasons photographers love golden hour is that the light is incredibly forgiving. It softens skin tones, reduces harsh shadows, and brings out warm, rich colors in a way that midday sun simply can’t. If you’ve ever taken a photo at noon and noticed deep shadows under your eyes or a washed-out background, you’ve seen the difference harsh light can make. Golden hour solves all of that.

There’s also something inherently romantic and natural about the look it creates. Whether you’re getting engagement photos, family portraits, or just updating your headshots, the warm tones and soft light add a timeless quality to your images. It creates depth, dimension, and that subtle cinematic feel that makes a good photo look great.

Of course, golden hour does require a little planning. Since it doesn’t last long—typically about 45 minutes to an hour—we’ll work together to make sure we’re in the right spot at the right time. And yes, sometimes that means an early morning start or shooting in the evening, but the results are always worth it.

So if I suggest a golden hour session, know that it’s not just about chasing pretty light—it’s about giving you the best possible setting to look and feel your best in front of the camera. Trust the timing, and let the light do the rest.