what time should we do photos?
When it comes to planning your senior session, one of the biggest questions I get is: what time should we do photos?
And no, I don't mean what time of year, I'm talking about the actual time of day!
Most people immediately think of golden hour and assume their senior photos have to happen right before sunset. While evening sessions are beautiful, that is definitely not the only option when it comes to choosing the best time for your senior pictures.
The time of day you choose can actually have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your photos.
Golden Hour Senior Photos
Let's start with the one most seniors are probably already thinking about: golden hour.
Golden hour is the time right before sunset when the sun is lower in the sky. This creates that warm, glowy, golden light that so many people love in their senior photos.
If you love photos that feel warm, dreamy, and a little more golden, an evening senior session is probably going to be the best fit for you.
This is usually the look people are picturing when they say they want "golden hour photos." The light can create beautiful warmth and glow throughout your senior portraits.
But Morning Senior Sessions Are Also an Option
This week in Minnesota has been HAUTTTTT!! So for this senior session, we decided to switch things up and do her photos in the morning to beat the heat.
And honestly? This session was the perfect example of why I don't think seniors should automatically assume they need to book an evening session. The lighting was beautiful, it was cooler outside, and the town was calm and quiet. Morning light can create a really soft and fresh look in your senior photos, and there is so much possibility with it.
I think morning sessions are especially worth considering if you want photos that feel a little softer and more natural.
So How Do You Choose the Right Time?
The biggest thing I recommend thinking about is how you want your senior photos to look and feel.
Do you love a warm, orange, golden-hour look? Then an evening senior session may be the perfect fit for you. Do you want something a little softer and fresh? A morning session could be a really great option.
Weather can also play a role in choosing your session time. Especially here in Minnesota, where summer can randomly decide to feel like a sauna. Choosing a morning session for this senior allowed us to enjoy cooler temperatures while still getting beautiful lighting.
Your Senior Photos Don't Have to Be at Sunset
If there is one thing I hope you take away from this, it's that golden hour is not your only option for senior photos. There are so many different lighting possibilities depending on the time of day, and the "best" time for your senior session really comes down to the look you want for your photos.
When we plan your senior session, I am always happy to help you choose a time that fits your vision, your location, and the overall feel you want for your senior pictures
Ready to start planning your Minnesota senior session? Let's chat!
