Picking a time for your Session
So here's the shortest answer. We generally recommend starting the session 90 minutes before sunset. We've found that sunset usually gives us the most flattering light. It also gives us a few advantages and, in our opinion, the best variety for creative uses of light. In some cases we recommend an earlier start time. Check below for your location type and the tips we recommend for that location.
MOST IMPORTANT TIP: We HIGHLY recommend that you take a trip to the location you want to use (ideally the same day of the week and around the same time as the session) to see how it feels; crowds, light, accessibility, traffic.
------ And skip to the bottom to read about the one big exception with engagement session times. -----
Generally speaking, when you're in a city surrounded by taller buildings, the light we enjoy using occurs about 1-2 hours earlier than it would in an area like a beach or open field. Tall buildings are AMAZING for creating pockets of light that can give us some really unique and creative circumstances. Once the sun gets lower, the tall buildings usually block the direct sunlight and we only have open shade. If you are choosing a city, let's aim to start 2.5 to 3 hours before sunset. We'll be able to capture some creative harsh light as well as soft shaded light.
TARGET START TIME: 2.5-3 hours before sunset
Parks and Gardens are a pretty popular choice since there are sooo many options. We're generally using sunset light which again is our favorite light. We can follow the "90 minutes before sunset" rule in terms of time. Make sure to find out the following for any parks/gardens you're considering
- Permit requirements - Some parks (even public access parks) have rules and permit requirements for photography.
- Closing times - If the park has a closing time, we'll need to take that into consideration
- Events - Make sure we're not selecting a date that the park is being used for a large event which would limit our opportunities
TARGET START TIME: 1.5 hours before sunset
There are two things to consider if the location you're choosing is indoors. First, access. Make sure to get permission and ask when we're allowed access to the location so that we don't show up when it's too crowded, busy, or closed. Second, when you're indoors the windows are our main light source. If we're able to, let's aim for 2-2.5 hours before sunset.
NOTE: if you're choosing a location like a hotel bar that might not have any window light, make sure to let us know. We'll need to prepare an approach for creating our own light.
TARGET START TIME: Depends on Accessibility
With Beaches, we're generally using sunset light which again is our favorite. We can follow the "90 minutes before sunset rule in terms of time. But for beaches specifically, we want to think about the day of the week and even the season we're doing the session. Memorial day weekend is likely going to have a TON of beach-goers making traffic, parking, and access to the best spots a BIG challenge. A mid week afternoon usually gives us much better opportunity to use the beach without obstacles.
TARGET START TIME: 1.5 hours before sunset on a WEEKDAY
THE BIG EXCEPTION
MORNING SESSIONS
There are a few locations that we only photograph in the mornings due to crowds. Busy locations can often limit access to our favorite spots as well as limit our ability to create the intimate romantic images we love. Here are a few of the locations that we'd only photograph as morning sessions
- Central Park (especially by Bethesda Terrace)
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Times Square
TARGET START TIME: Usually 7/7:30 am
