The perfect time to take effortlessly great photos.
Make it stand out
The Golden Hour for Photography
The times of day known in the photographer world as the golden hour is hands down one of the best times to snap photos, thanks to the soft, warm, natural light it provides. This light not only makes everything look more flattering but adds a natural vibrance to your shots. It happens twice a day—once in the hour after sunrise and again in the hour before sunset.
During these times, the sun is lower in the sky, casting a gentle, diffused light that brings out rich colours and textures. The long shadows add depth, and the warm glow reduces any harsh contrasts, making it perfect for achieving professional-looking photos, even if you’re not a photography pro.
How to Look Up the Golden Hour
Want to know the exact timing of the golden hour?
Use Apps or Websites. There are some great, interesting tools out there for those who really want to geek out on the process, like The Photographer's Ephemeris, Golden Hour Calculator, and Sun Seeker, which can tell you exactly when Golden Hour happens in your area as well as other details.
…Or you can just Google It! A quick Google search of "golden hour time" and your location will also do the trick. I personally use this method all the time, and it’s been perfectly accurate enough for my needs.
Remember, the timing of the golden hour changes with the seasons and your location, so make sure to search and plan it perfectly.
Other Great Times to Take Photos
When you’re taking professional shots for your business, good timing and lighting are essential to making sure your photos come out looking polished and high-quality. Besides the golden hour, right after it rains can be a great time to take photos. The rain clears the air, making colours look more vibrant, and you can use puddles or wet surfaces for cool, reflective effects. Plus, the diffused light from a cloudy sky will help smooth out any harsh shadows, giving you a softer, more natural look.
You can also make use of the blue hour—the time just before sunrise or after sunset. This cooler, soft light creates a calm and professional feel, which is ideal for business portraits. And don’t underestimate cloudy days! Clouds work like a natural light diffuser, evening out the lighting and ensuring you look well-lit without the harsh glare of direct sunlight.
It’s worth experimenting with different weather conditions to see what works for you. The one thing to avoid is bright, direct sunlight—it’s too harsh, will make you squint and will oversaturate your images, making them less flattering.
Light Direction in Photography
To achieve professional-looking photos, you also need to consider the direction of the light. If the light source is directly in front of you, it will evenly illuminate your face, reducing shadows. This is the easiest and simplest shot to take if you don’t have much experience. If you do this when the sun is high and bright in the sky, you will not only saturate your face but also pull a rather unflattering facial expression as you try to avoid the glare. However, at the Golden hour, you will see clearly with the light in front of you and be able to pull a natural pose where your face will light up in all the right ways!
Extra Tip: If you get caught out needing to take photos when the light is less than perfect, a natural diffuser like trees or buildings can help soften the light.
Have a play and enjoy
The golden hour is your go-to for creating a warm, flattering glow that is easy to create, but you can also play around with other great times I mentioned such as after rain or during the blue hour, for unique, eye-catching images. Playing around and enjoying the process will soon result in a folder chock full of fantastic photos for all your PR and marketing needs!
