Why Your Photographer Cares So Much About the Time of Day for Your Photoshoot

As a photographer, I don’t just show up with a camera and start clicking. Every detail—from the location, the pose, and down to the lens I choose—affects the final image. But there’s one factor that can make or break your photos before I even take the lens cap off: the light.

Light Changes Everything

Natural light isn’t constant. It shifts in color, intensity, and direction throughout the day, and those changes dramatically affect the mood and quality of your images.

• Midday Sun: Harsh, direct, and unforgiving. It can cause squinting, deep shadows under eyes, and blown-out highlights. For dramatic images it can be perfect in showing heavy contrast and make an image jump out, but details in the darker parts will be hard to pull out.

• Morning Light: Softer and cooler in tone, perfect for a calm, fresh atmosphere. Certain locations look best in the morning when the sun is casting a different shade so if you have your heart set on a particular location but need the shade to be opposite of the sun, morning might be the only time to catch it.

• Golden Hour: That dreamy, warm, flattering light that happens shortly after sunrise and before sunset. Skin tones glow, colors are richer, and shadows are soft. When the sun is behind you at this time of day it can create a gorgeous backlight that is incredibly romantic or put an exclamation point on a celebratory kind of image (ie. grads, engagements, maternity etc.)

• Indoor vs. Outdoor: Even if we're shooting indoor where there is no sunlight, natural light can be just as important when casting through windows. It's often preferred over artificial for a few reasons, but that doesn't mean we can't work with both. Natural Light is soft, dimensional, and dynamic. It wraps around you and changes subtly throughout the day, giving images a natural glow that’s hard to fake.. Indoor (Artificial) Light: Believe it or not, even though lights in a building can seem bright, the camera struggles to see it the same way as us, so we need to increase light when inside. This can be the perfect setting for dreamy, dramatic lifestyle photos like newborns in their home, or those romantic boudoir shoots.

  Whenever possible, I plan sessions to maximize natural light, even if we’re shooting indoors near a big window. That way, we still get that flattering, vibrant feel without relying solely on artificial lighting.

  
  

I choose our time based on your location, the look you want, and the season we’re in—because yes, even the time of year changes the light. Let's explore why the time of day matters so much in photography and how it can transform your images. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s venture into the fascinating world of light!

The Magic Hour: Golden Hour

You may have heard the term golden hour before. This is the time shortly after sunrise and just before sunset when the light is soft, warm, and exceptionally flattering. During this period, the sun’s low position in the sky creates long shadows and a beautiful, diffused light that enhances your subjects.

A breathtaking landscape bathed in warm golden light

For instance, a wedding photographer might take advantage of the golden hour to capture couples strolling hand-in-hand in a sunlit field. The warm colors can turn an ordinary scene into an enchanting moment. Research shows that portraits taken during this time tend to have a 20-30% higher satisfaction rate compared to those shot at midday.

Imagine standing in a field with the sun setting behind you, casting a golden glow all around. That’s the kind of light that makes your images unforgettable!

The Harsh Reality: Midday to Early Evening (Summer) Sun

While it may seem easy to schedule a shoot at noon, or in the summer around 4 or 5pm. The timing of the sun can be really unfortunate. If there's no cloud coverage, it can mean searching for shade to improve the shadows and overexposed highlights that can leave your skin looking washed out. These times of day if the time is necessary, are best done in a heavily shaded area, around buildings or within plenty of trees, or inside where the light can peek in through windows to create a softer glow.

Clouds not only offer softer light, but can create a beautiful sky in the background, adding color and emotion.

Cloudy Days: Nature’s Softbox

Don’t let a cloudy day keep you from booking a shoot! In fact, overcast skies can actually work to your advantage. The clouds act like a natural softbox, diffusing the sunlight and creating even, flattering light. This ambient light is perfect for portraits, as it reduces harsh shadows and highlights. In addition, colors tend to pop more vibrantly on cloudy days, which can elevate your images in a way that bright sunlight cannot. Research suggests that photographs taken on overcast days can yield 15-25% better color saturation.

So, if the forecast predicts clouds, celebrate it! Embrace the chance for stunning, soft-lit photos. If there is a chance of storms, these can make for some surreal emotional images as well.

The Camera Sees Light Differently Than We Do

Our eyes are incredible at adjusting to different lighting conditions, but cameras are more sensitive. Shooting at the wrong time of day—or in the wrong type of light—means more editing to fix shadows, highlights, and color casts. Even then, it won’t have the same natural magic as getting it right in-camera.

Communicating with Your Photographer

As a client, clear communication with your photographer is essential. If you have a specific time in mind, please share it. My goal is to help you achieve the best results.

Nonetheless, I might suggest alternative times based on my understanding of light. Trust me on this; I have your best interests in mind. I aim to create stunning images that truly reflect your personality and style, and choosing the right time of day plays a significant role in that.

Trust the Process

It might seem that we just stand behind a camera and press a button, but there's a lot more to it. There are variables other than light that impact how the images look. We use terms like ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Exposure, Composition, and then editing is a whole other process itself. Some of us are self taught, some of us take schooling to learn our craft. Either way, we understand how our camera works and the chemical balance of all factors that go into the way we shoot your pictures.

This little experiment (with my sweet subject Duma) shows the different lighting scenarios and what you can expect based on angles and lighting options. If there's a specific look you're going for, light plays an important role!

When I recommend an early morning session or ask you to meet in the evening, it’s because I know how to make you look your best. It’s not about convenience for me—it’s about creating photos you’ll love for years.

The right light doesn’t just flatter you—it tells the story of your day in a way that feels alive, warm, and timeless.

💡 Pro tip: If you’ve booked me, you’ve already trusted me to create beautiful images. The time of day is just as important as the location or the outfit—it’s the foundation everything else is built on.

So next time your photographer says, “Let’s shoot at 7 PM,” know that what they really mean is: Let’s make the kind of magic you’ll want to hang on your wall forever.