What is the Best Time of Day to Take Family Photos | Oregon Photographer
The Best Time of Day for Outdoor Family Photography in Portland, Oregon
You see all of those beautiful family photos on social media or when you land on a photographer’s website and you might be wondering, “How do I get family photos like that?” That warm light wraps families with flattering gorgeous light. The way to get those kinds of photos is to photograph families at golden hour. I’ll share more about that in this blog.
Ask your photographer what the best time of day is for your family photos
If I were your family photographer, I would tell you that the best time for family photos is about an hour before sunset. Depending on the location you choose and the time of year, we will decide together what that looks like. If you are from this area, you know that in the summertime that could mean, we would start around 7:45 pm or even a bit later. That way, you are being photographed in the “golden hour.” Golden hour is the hour before sunset and the hour after sunrise. In my opinion, it is the most flattering light to photograph families in. The light is smooth and not harsh.
What if it’s cloudy or overcast the day we scheduled family photos?
That is one of my favorite kinds of weather to photograph families in. I photograph families in clouds and overcast days as long as it’s dry. I never reschedule photoshoots due to shadows. Can you imagine? I would likely have to reschedule so many; pacific northwest weather is typically more cloudy than not. The thing I love about clouds in photographs is that it adds interest to the sky. It reminds me of a beautiful painting that nature displays right before sunset.
My kids go to bed before “golden hour”; they will be grumpy for photos!
I am a mom of two kids under 6 years old. I get it! In the summertime, they go to bed around 8 o’clock, so having family photos done around their bedtime worried me. Here is the thing, though, it’s one night that you push their bedtimes back a little, and I have very helpful tips on this blog how to prepare your kids for your family photos.
Set low expectations of your kids for family photos.
I always tell this to families I work with. Set low expectations for your kids during family photos, even teenagers. The more they can be themselves, know that they can’t “mess the session up”, and they don’t have to give cheesy fake smiles, the better your session will be, promise! Just make it about having a “family date” and have a laid-back attitude about the experience. Grab my guide here on how to have a stress-free family photo session.
Not convinced your kids will make it that late in the day? Here are a few options.
Sometimes I hear from moms that they aren’t quite ready to commit to an evening family photo shoot. Here are a few options to get beautiful family photos without worrying about your kid’s bedtime.
-Schedule your family photos for the Fall. It gets darker much earlier, and you can have those beautiful fall colors in your photos!
-Have your family photos done in your home! It’s so much fun and unique because it takes place in your home and can be done mid-morning. Check out my blog on What to Expect for your Indoor Family Photography Session
Have a few questions about planning for your family photos and are searching for a Portland, Oregon, Family Photographer? Message me here, and let’s chat!
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