Golden Hour: Why It's Worth Setting Your Alarm

If you've ever wondered why so many portraits are scheduled for early evening, golden hour is your answer.

What is golden hour?

Golden hour refers to the period roughly one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. The sun is low on the horizon, which means light travels through more atmosphere before reaching your subject. That journey softens it, warms it, and scatters it in ways that midday sun simply can't replicate.

Why photographers love it

Midday sun is harsh — hard shadows under eyes, makes people squint, flattens colors. Golden hour light wraps around subjects gently, fills in shadows naturally, and gives skin a warmth that's almost impossible to fake in editing.

How to plan around it

Check your local sunset time and plan to start your session 75-90 minutes before it. That gives you warm light to work with right away and lets you finish during the final magic minutes before the sun drops. Is it worth rearranging your schedule for? Every single time.