When is the best time of day for family portraits?

Natural light and artificial light both have very different results when it comes to professional photography. But if you have clicked here, you are probably looking for tips on photography in natural light.

Here is a quick guide on when to book an appointment for a family portrait in natural light.

What is the Golden/ Magic Hour?

You must have heard about the golden or magic hour. It refers to the time right after sunrise or half an hour before sunset. Both have varying color spectrums and effects. After sunrise, hues of blue and cooler tones light the sky. The time just before sunset, however, coats the horizon in warm tones. It depends on what your preferences are as a family and what kind of outfits you plan on wearing for the shoot. A soft warm glow with the setting sun behind you will create a beautiful, vintage look.

The Blue Hour

Golden hours are famous, but the soft-blue glow before and after sunsets will give you a different kind of feel. Isn’t dawn and dusk just so calming and ambient? If this is what you want to capture in your portrait, the calm of the blue hour is the right time for you. A mellow and peaceful family portrait will characterize your family dramatically. Your pictures will seem eternal and have a ethereal stillness to them.

In the Dark

A professional, talented photographer will know how to capture your best angles in the soft light after it’s dark. A good camera with the aid of some artificial light will create blue and yellow tints in your picture that make your portrait unique and one-of-a-kind. Who wants a boring old standard family portrait? Ask your photographer to use moonlight. To do that, check for what phase the moon will be in before you schedule your appointment for nighttime.

Hard-Light, Noon Photography

You might not be too passionate about the idea of a portrait when the sun is high, direct sunlight can be difficult to work around. Ask your photographer for a portfolio and see if they have the skill to capture people at noon. This can give you some ideas for creative, high contrast photoshoots for your family portrait. It is all about how well the photographer controls the exposure and brightness in the pictures when it’s noon.

Afternoon

The afternoon is perhaps the easiest and most exploited time of the day for portrait photography. There is plenty of time to set up equipment and set the proper stage. Plus, the lighting isn’t harsh and direct, especially if it’s a little cloudy. Even though it is cliché, afternoon photography is the safest way to go if you’re not too into experimentations.

Once again, it is your choice and what you are comfortable with as a family. Every family has a different sense of aesthetic and characteristics they wish to express in their portraits.