"Golden hour" comes up constantly in photography, and for good reason — it genuinely does make a noticeable difference in how your photos turn out. Here's what it actually is, and why we build session timing around it whenever possible.
What golden hour actually is
Golden hour refers to the period shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset, when the sun sits low on the horizon. During this window, sunlight travels through more of the atmosphere before reaching us, scattering the harsher blue light and leaving behind a warmer, softer glow.
Why the light is more flattering
Because the sun is low in the sky rather than directly overhead, the light comes in at an angle rather than straight down — which means fewer harsh shadows under the eyes and chin, less squinting, and a generally softer, warmer look across skin tones.
Midday sun, by comparison
Around midday, sunlight comes almost straight down, creating harsh shadows, more contrast, and a much higher chance of squinting directly into the light. It's not impossible to shoot in, but it takes more work to get flattering results.
How long does golden hour actually last?
It varies by season — roughly 30 to 60 minutes around sunrise or sunset, with the window stretching longer in the fall and winter, when the sun's angle changes more gradually, and shorter in the summer.
Does this mean your session has to be tiny?
Not necessarily. We often plan sessions to lead up to or wrap around golden hour, using the earlier, more neutral light for some shots and saving that final glowing light for the last stretch of the session — giving you variety across the gallery rather than one single lighting mood throughout.
What if golden hour doesn't fit your schedule?
Overcast days (see our rainy day post) offer their own kind of soft, even light all day long, which is a great alternative if golden hour timing genuinely doesn't work for your availability.
Let's plan your timing
Get in touch and we'll help schedule your session to make the most of the light, whatever time of day works for you.