As a natural light photographer, there are several factors I consider before scheduling a portrait session. The season, location, weather, and session length all need to be considered to determine the best time of day for outdoor portraits. I do this because I photograph my clients the same way I want to be photographed; in flattering, natural light so that they look their best!
The Season
Here in Colorado, sunset times differ dramatically from season to season. The sun can set as late as 9 p.m. during summer months, or as early as 5 p.m. during winter months. Daylight Savings Time adjustments take place in the spring and fall months. I use a sunset calculator to discover scheduled sunset times. This can be done weeks, or even months, ahead of time!
The Location
It’s important to consider location when determining the best time of day for a portrait session. Will the session be held indoors? Or, out in an open field or downtown amongst tall buildings? Will it be a combination of the two? Is it a busy location with lots of people around? Will the sun be setting behind a true horizon, like at the beach, or behind a mountain, like here in Colorado? Just like sunset time, location is a major factor.
The Weather
Unlike the location and season, we will not know what to expect from Mother Nature ahead of time. I begin monitoring the weather as a session approaches so that session times can be adjusted, if needed. In the case of bad weather like strong winds or rain, the portrait session will need to be rescheduled. If it’s overcast, a slight time adjustment may be needed. Rest assured, I am still able to capture beautiful, vibrant images on cloudy days!
The Session Length
Once the best time of day for a portrait session has been determined according to the season, location, and weather, I am able to calculate the session start time. If the session is an hour long, it will be scheduled to start ninety minutes to two hours before we’ll loose the best light. This gives us time to make an outfit change or take a short break, if needed. You may have heard the term “golden hour” before. Golden hour is the last (or first) hour of the day, when light is softest. It’s the best light for portraits.
As you can see, the best time for a portrait session varies from month to month. I recommend taking your own schedule into account when planning a portrait session; travel time, your work hours, and nap times if you have little ones. While scheduling a portrait session at high-noon may seem like the most convenient option, tweaking your schedule for a golden hour session will yield the best results!
