"Golden hour" — the soft, warm light in the hour or so around sunrise and sunset — is when we most often recommend scheduling a session. But which end of the day should you choose? Both have real advantages, and the right answer usually comes down to a few practical factors.
Sunset: the more popular choice
Most couples gravitate toward evening sessions, and there are good reasons for it. You don't have to wake up early, the light builds gradually and predictably as the evening goes on, and locations tend to be a little more lively with soft evening activity in the background.
Sunrise: the underrated option
Sunrise sessions come with a genuine advantage: almost nobody else is out yet. Popular spots like Port Credit, the Distillery District, or High Park that get crowded by afternoon are often completely quiet at 6 or 7 AM, giving us much more freedom to shoot without other people wandering into the background.
What about the light itself?
Technically, both golden hours offer similarly soft, warm, low-angle light. The difference is more about mood: sunrise light often feels a little cooler and crisper, while sunset light tends to feel a bit warmer and more golden as the evening progresses, especially closer to actual sunset.
Practical scheduling factors
If you're not naturally early risers, forcing a sunrise session can add stress rather than remove it — showing up tired doesn't photograph well. On the other hand, if your ideal location gets busy by midafternoon, sunrise might genuinely be the better trade-off despite the early alarm.
Our honest recommendation
For most couples, we suggest sunset simply because it's easier to plan around and doesn't require an early morning. But if quiet, crowd-free locations matter more to you than convenience, sunrise is absolutely worth considering — we're happy to plan around either.
Let's plan your timing
Reach out and we'll help you figure out the best time of day based on your chosen location and the season you're shooting in.