Have you ever wondered what the best time of day and lighting is for outdoor sessions? Then this blog post is for you! I’m a natural light specialist because I believe that natural light creates photographs that feel fresh and timeless. I begin all full sessions within two hours before the scheduled sunset during “golden hour” when the light is the dreamiest. More of a morning person? Sunrise sessions are a great alternative! I begin all sunrise sessions five minutes prior to the scheduled sunrise.

Finding Open Shade

The first thing I look for is a place with nice, open shade. This open shade ensures that your family won’t be squinting, and the light hitting you will be soft and beautiful. I like to shoot within two hours of sunrise or sunset to avoid harsh sunlight that casts unflattering shadows and hot spots on you.

Staying In Even Light

The next thing I look at is keeping you in beautiful, even light. If there are any trees around that are casting spotty light over the area, I’ll do my best to get your family away from those hot spots and into complete shade with even light. Those pesky spots can be quite distracting in photos, so I’ll do my best to eliminate that to keep the focus on you.

Avoiding Dark And Distracting Backgrounds

The last thing I look for is a clear area where lots of light is able to come through behind you. I will avoid putting you right up against thick brush or bushes because those things hinder the light and airy style. I’ll also watch for people or cars passing by behind you while we’re shooting. I may pause and wait for them to move so we won’t have them cluttering up your photos.

I hope this information will better help you understand why I avoid certain times of the day for sessions and give you a glimpse into the planning that goes along with the locations and times! If you’d like to book a session with me, click the following link! https://alyssamariephotography.net/contact Want to follow along on Instagram? Just click this following link! https://instagram.com/alyssa_mariephoto