What Time Do Outdoor Family Photos Start?
If you're planning an outdoor family session, you might be wondering, "What time do outdoor family photos start?" Timing is everything when it comes to beautiful, natural light, and that’s why I typically schedule sessions for sunset. The hour before sunset—known as golden hour—creates that soft, warm, glowy light that helps create the deep, rich colors you see in my work.
That time changes by the season though, and sometimes the conditions of the day dictate we adapt slightly for the best light. I'll walk you through some common scenarios in this post.
Hi! If we haven't met yet, I'm Susannah, West Knox family photographer, wife, and mama to two wonderful crazy little boys. I create a relaxed and playful environment so your family pictures are full of fun, joy, and natural connection. Dads tell me that my sessions are painless!
I love getting to know you ahead of time, and befriending your kids during the session - Having that connection with you guys as your photographer really helps me to capture your family's true personalities and tell the story of your current time in life. Gah - I love what I do! Seriously, getting to photograph your families and hear the vulnerability in your stories is such an honor.
Anyway - Let's move on to talk about what you came here for: Timing for photos!
What Time Do Family Photos Start for Sunset Sessions?
Sunset sessions start about an hour before the sun sets—this is when we get that dreamy golden light that makes everything feel warm and magical. The exact time changes with the seasons, so check my booking calendar for the exact time (this is set for sunset time. If it ends up being overcast, that may change - Keep reading to see what I mean!) Aim to be a little early so that we can have some time if you need to change into anything from my client closet.
If you think your children might struggle with a later session, check out this blogpost that I wrote on tips to help your little ones!
What time do outdoor family photos start if it is overcast?
Overcast skies soften the light beautifully, but they also mean we lose daylight faster. If the forecast calls for a cloudy day, I’ll likely move your session an hour earlier so we have plenty of time to capture all the magic.
What time do outdoor family photos start if it's cloudy?
If it’s just a cloudy day (without rain), we’ll stick with your scheduled sunset time. Clouds actually make for gorgeous, even lighting—think soft, glowy, and flattering! One thing to keep in mind though is that overcast days create a cooler soft light so choosing warm earthy tones or rich jewel tones for your outfits will be better for cloudy sessions - Think caramel, rust, deep mustard, maroon etc., vs blues and grays.
Let's Plan Your Session
I hope this helped answer your questions! Feel free to reach out if there’s anything else you’re wondering about. Now that we’ve talked about the best times (and we got in some color suggestions too!) for sessions, it’s time to book!
