What time of day should I take family photos? | Family Photographer

When it comes to family photography, the time of day can make a world of difference in the quality and ambiance of your images. As a family photographer in Syracuse, I often get asked about the best time for a photography session, and without a doubt, my top recommendation is during the golden hour - that magical time just before sunset.

The midday sun can be harsh and unflattering, casting strong shadows and making everyone squint. On the other hand, the soft, warm light of the golden hour (sunset) is incredibly flattering, gently illuminating your family's faces and creating a beautiful, natural glow. This soft light helps to minimize harsh shadows, resulting in smoother, more even skin tones, making everyone look their best.

Sunset brings a touch of magic to your family photography session. The warm, golden hues of the setting sun create a dreamy, romantic atmosphere that adds a unique and enchanting quality to your photos. The colors during the golden hour are rich and inviting, giving your images a beautiful and inviting warmth.

Being a mom, I understand routines and bedtimes are SO important with little ones. I also know when the best time to take gorgeous images are and sometimes those two don’t add up to the same timeline.

If you look at my portfolio or Instagram feed, you’ll see most of my images look very similar. That’s because when I begin speaking with a client, I make sure they understand the importance of light. The way I get my images to all look the same with similar tones and colors is to take my photos around sunset. I usually start my sessions around 90 minutes before sunset, so for summertime, that may mean we start at 7:00.

If your child has an early bedtime that is going to conflict with a starting time that late, I suggest pushing a nap or allowing a bit of quiet time in the late afternoon the day of the session. As I’ve seen with my own kids and after talking with most of my clients, that one late bedtime won’t wreck their schedule, and you’ll have the images you love and expect. I also suggest getting them a good snack or meal before our session. I, myself, get hangry if I go too long without a meal or snack, so I totally understand the need!

One thing I do to combat crankiness is encouraging lots of cuddles and playing during our session. I understand everyone gets cranky and hangry, so look for those cues and hopefully we can counter any of those negative feelings they may bring to the session. If it’s unavoidable and your kiddos needs more comfort and love that particular day, then let’s capture it. Babies only want to be held for so long and will only need those special songs and cuddles for a short time. Why not document those precious memories for years to come? I never go into a session with expectations of everyone smiling and looking at the camera. My only expectation (for myself) is to capture my clients’ genuine personalities and this period in their lives.

Another amazing quality golden hour can enhance is your chosen location. We’ll discuss location options based on your preferences during our consultation. Whether we're photographing your family in a park, by the lake, or in the heart of Syracuse, the golden hour enhances the natural beauty of your chosen location. The soft, angled light can turn ordinary backdrops into extraordinary ones, making your family photos stand out. The environment becomes an integral part of your story, and the warm, gentle sunlight complements it beautifully.

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