My favorite time to schedule photoshoots plus the different light scenarios you can come across with at your session

As a photographer who loves shooting during golden hour, I used to panic a little at the thought of direct light. I have discovered that being open-minded about all types of light scenarios can lead to some beautiful and artistic images.

Lighting is so important in photography – plus, I am completely obsessed with the beauty of natural light – so I wanted to share insights about how lighting at different times of the day affect your final photos. 

Morning and Evening Photoshoots

I personally think that the dreamiest photos come from taking pictures during golden hour. Golden hour happens 1 to 2 hours after sunrise when the sun is low enough on the horizon, creating a soft, warm look. It also happens 1 to 2 hours before sunset when the sun is low again, creating a hazy, golden look in photos.

Photographers love morning and evening photoshoots because the lighting is just so beautiful. Some people even call the golden hour the “magic” hour. In addition, golden hour light is extremely flattering. It makes everyone’s skin look great and creates minimal shadows in the photos. However, these times of day are not always practical, especially when it coincides with things family dinner or kids’ bedtime.

I recently had the best time photographing a sweet family during golden hour at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas. Along with mom and dad, there were two sweet little girls – 1 and 3 years old. The golden hour lighting worked its magic! We were blessed with a gorgeous sunset which was the perfect backdrop for these sweet family photos. 

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Mid-Day Photoshoots

I have learned throughout my time as a photographer to embrace the light. Although mid-day photoshoots are not my favorite because of the harsh direct sunlight and shadows it creates on the subjects, direct sun is almost unavoidable with toddler bedtimes. Happy toddlers > golden hour light.

One of the ways to avoid bright direct light during a mid-day photoshoot is finding a shaded area. Shade can be provided by things like a large tree or a building that cast a big enough shadow to cover your subject.

Dappled light is another way to continue to achieve that softness in images plus, if used correctly, it can be a beautiful addition to a photo.

The images below are examples of mid-day lighting. This sweet family welcomed their little girl 4 weeks ago and I was so honored to capture memories for them. I placed this family under a tree which created some of the dappled lighting. I personally think this is a fun and artistic way to use light in a photoshoot!

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Photoshoots on Overcast Days

Although playing with light in photography is so fun, cloudy days are great for family portraits because clouds filter and soften the light. Photos taken in these conditions look pretty because the lighting of the image is even. You won’t have to worry about the bright light making your subject squint, dappled light coming through trees, or harsh shadows on your subjects. Soft light shining on your subject will make colors pop, skin tones come out clean, and it will add dimension to your photo.

The pictures below were taken on a cloudy day at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas. Although the photos have a different vibe to them I still love the soft even light in created on the images.

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Want to find a time with me for your family’s outdoor photo session in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? Contact me at https://anadufrechephotography.com/contact to learn more.