What's Golden Hour?
Golden Hour, my absolute favorite time to photograph outside, most often refers to the hour before sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon and the light is warm and gently diffused. The same quality of light exists in the morning in the first hour after sunrise, so Golden Hour happens twice every day. Because of the sun’s lower position on the horizon, the light has to travel a longer distance across the atmosphere, breaking it into softer, more diffused, and warmer light. This magical light is why I love photographing outdoors during this time–it makes for stunning portraits.
Golden Hour might be the best time to take photos outside.
Despite its name, Golden Hour isn’t always a full hour. The length of Golden Hour is determined by how long that magical lighting is produced – which depends on how long the sun stays low on the horizon. In some areas, Golden Hour lasts a whole hour or even longer, but in Lexington, KY, we usually get between 35 and 40 minutes of Golden Hour lighting.
Because the time when the sun rises and sets changes daily, the timing of Golden Hour changes. If you choose a Golden Hour photo session, I will send you the perfect time to meet. To get an idea of the range of when Golden Hour occurs in Lexington, view below:
| Date | Morning Golden Hour | Evening Golden Hour |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 | Approximately 8 AM | Approximately 5 PM |
| April 15 | Approx. 7 AM | Approx. 8:15 PM |
| July 15 | Approx. 6:30 AM | Approx. 9 PM |
| October 15 | Approx. 7:45 AM | Approx. 7 PM |
Should You Choose a Golden Hour Session?
If you have young children, you might look at the timing of Golden Hour and question whether it is worth keeping your children up past their bedtime. In the summertime when the days are long, the morning Golden Hour is very early – and the evening Golden Hour is very late. If you are familiar with my work, you will see that I prioritize photographing during Golden Hour because I love the tones it gives my photos. But my job is also to help my clients have the best experience they can during our photo session and if your toddler will fall asleep during the session or just be extremely grumpy if they’re up that late, we can choose a different time that will make everyone happy. My priority is capturing beautiful images of your family – whether we choose Golden Hour or another time.
Call Today!
My goal is to provide you with a tangible record of your family at this moment in time- at whatever time works best for you! Call or text (502) 517-9771 today and we will plan the perfect session for your family, whether at Golden Hour outside or in the middle of the day in your living room.
