There is a lot more planning that goes into taking the perfect wedding photos than just picking a photographer. The time of day you take your photos can heavily influence the end results. Factors such as time of year, weather and location all need to be considered by the couple when planning the time of their photoshoot. Here are the best and worst times of day to take wedding photos.
Stunning sunset pic from Malissa and Zachary's wedding
When To Take Your Photos...
Golden hour is well known as being the optimal time of day to take wedding photos. Golden hour occurs in the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. These are the times of day where the sun is at its lowest point and features soft, diffused lighting. It is a little bit cooler than the middle of the day so you and your wedding party will be more comfortable. For photographers, the lighting has reduced in harshness and is more directional, offering the opportunity to play with angles more. Taking photos just before sunset is the most popular use of this lighting.
When To Have Your Ceremony...
If you want your photos to be taken during golden hour, this needs to be factored into the timeline of your wedding. For weddings that are earlier in the day, golden hour tends to fall in the middle of the reception. This is not the most ideal time to sneak away for photos. Golden hour photos work best after a late afternoon wedding, as most of the reception will be after sunset. This means that you don't miss out on getting your dream photos or celebrating with your guests.
Check out Jaide and Chris' wedding here
Seasonal Sunsets...
The season your wedding is in will impact when sunset occurs. In the summer months, sunset will be significantly later and last for longer. In winter, golden hour will fall a lot earlier and the light will fade far quicker than you expect. This is an important consideration as winter wedding ceremonies will need to be earlier for couples wanting to take advantage of golden hour.
See more of Georgia and Josh's wedding here
Weather woes...
As well as being affected by the time of year, light is also impacted by the weather on a given day. On a cloudy day, light fades faster than when the sky is clear. It is also harder to achieve golden hour lighting on an overcast day. However, overcast days can still result in stunning photos as there is no harsh light or shadows to work around. For the best wedding photos when it is cloudy, consider taking your wedding photos earlier than planned to maximise lighting. Flexibility is key in achieving perfect wedding photos.
Picture perfect even on a cloudy day - see more of Ashley and Byron's wedding here
Location, Location, Location...
Where you plan on taking your wedding photos is a necessary consideration when deciding when to start your wedding photoshoot and how long you need. The results of golden hour photos also depend on the location they are being taken in. Photos taken by the beach will have light for longer and will often be able to take a variety of different types of photos right until the sun drops below the horizon. Weddings in built up areas, such as cityscapes, will have light for less time and will be impacted more by shadows.
More of Kate and Ben's wedding here
Love at First Glance...
For those who are pressed for time, or don't want to plan their wedding timeline around the time of their photos, there are plenty of options to make sure you get the wedding photos of your dreams. A popular option is a first look photoshoot. This occurs before the wedding ceremony. While the light will not be as soft as in golden hour, if the photos are taken early enough, it is unlikely to be as harsh as the sun in the middle of the day.
See more of Ashleigh and Elliot's wedding here
Seek Out Shade...
Sometimes, having your wedding photos taken in the middle of the day is unavoidable. Harsh midday sun can cause people to squint in photos and washes out things like backgrounds and details on clothing. To avoid this, it is essential to look for locations that provide shade. Prior to your wedding, go to the location of your wedding photos at the time of day you plan to take them and look for areas of natural shade.
Communicate...
Your photographer is an expert. Utilise their knowledge and communicate with them as much as possible. They can be a great help in determining when the best and worst times to take wedding photos at your desired location will be. For some Modern Wedding approved photographers click here!
Check out more of Claire and Aaron's wedding here
Do you know when to take the perfect wedding photo but still not have a venue in mind? Check out these venues with amazing photo opportunities.
