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Updated Oct 14, 2024What is Golden Hour Photography? Plus, Ideas for Your Big Day
Save these sunkissed photo ideas for your wedding photographer.
If you've landed on this page, you likely want to learn more about golden hour photography and why it's one of the most popular wedding photography styles. If you've found yourself asking questions such as "what is golden hour?" "how long does golden hour last?" and "when is golden hour in photography?" we've got you covered.
Whether you're interested in golden hour wedding photography and want to hire a wedding photographer specializing in golden hour photography techniques or any other wedding photography styles, The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great resource. The platform makes it easy to search for photographers and videographers specializing in an array of styles in various cities throughout the United States. You can also sort through those offering their services at prices that fit into your wedding budget.
To learn more about golden hour, what (and when) it is, tips to consider when taking golden hour wedding photos and ideas to incorporate it into an upcoming photo shoot, we tapped a handful of wedding photographers for their expert insights. Read on to learn more about golden hour photography ideas and how you can execute the most successful photoshoot around a golden hour wedding.
In this article: What Is the Golden Hour for Photography? | Golden Hour Photography Tips | Golden Hour Wedding Photo Ideas | Why Is Golden Hour Good for Photography?
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What Is the Golden Hour for Photography?
"Golden hour photography is work created during the last hour to 45 minutes before the sun sets below the horizon," Jessica Hunt, photographer at Jessica Hunt Photography in Columbia, South Carolina, says of this wedding planning term. "When planned perfectly on a sunny day at a stunning location, the golden hour before dusk can create some of the most complimentary and beautiful lighting for portraits on your wedding day."
Golden Hour Photography Tips
There's no denying that golden hour can flash past, especially if you're not prepared. That's why we asked our experts for wedding photo tips to keep in mind before, during and after your session for glowing results.
Use the proper golden hour photography camera settings.
As far as what ISO you should use for golden hour, Boston photographer Nicole Chan of Nicole Chan Photo and Video, notes that it's a best practice to keep the ISO relatively low between 100 and 400. "From my style of photography, I tend to like to shoot wide open—somewhere between f/1.2–2.0," she adds.
Although your wedding photographer likely knows the golden hour photography settings to generate the highest-quality photos, it doesn't hurt to educate yourself. You can add this question to your list of questions to ask wedding photographers before booking.
That said, the ISO your wedding photographer uses can vary depending on the vision agreed upon for your wedding photos and the particular style you'd like to evoke. "The beauty of golden hour is that it's incredibly versatile—and it's up to the photographer to interpret that light in a way that serves the story they're telling," says Laura Murray of Denver-based Laura Murray Photography.
Take advantage of those smartphone apps.
There are some smartphone apps that you (or your photographer) can use to help with golden hour wedding photography. "Certain phone apps can help you plan where the sun's going to be exactly related to your position," says Adam Mason, lead photographer at Mason Photography in DC. "My favorite app is PhotoPills." Not only can these apps help with your photo shoot, but they can also help with sunset wedding planning.
Stick to the golden hour photography time.
There's no one set golden hour photography time as the sun sets at different times across the country. That said, golden hour for photography in general, "is the time right before sunset, usually 30 to 90 minutes before the sun hits the horizon," says Chan. "Generally speaking, it's usually an hour, but can be shorter when the sun sets quicker." She adds that this can occur during the wintertime in Boston. Furthermore, Kari Bjorn of Kari Bjorn Photography in West Hartford, Connecticut, notes that southern states, including Texas and Florida, tend to see short golden hour time frames because the sun sets at a steeper angle. Mason adds that there can be some caveats to this, such as if you're shooting in an area with tall buildings or trees, as they can impact the light's appearance.
"If you're celebrating in a mountainous region, your golden hour will be almost an hour and a half before sunset, to account for the sun falling behind the surrounding mountains before it reaches the true horizon of your location," adds Hunt.
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Two hours before sunset is a good time to take photos. However, you may not always be taking golden hour sunset photography at that time, depending on your marrying location or where your photo shoot is taking place. It is a best practice to determine what time the golden hour will be on the big day so you can match the rest of your plans accordingly.
Communicate with your guests (and photographer).
Communication is key when it comes to executing a golden hour photo shoot (especially if you plan on doing so at your wedding reception). "Plan a break for your guests to naturally experience around this time with your planner and keep your photographer in the loop with your hopes for golden hour photographs," Hunt says. "Both of these professionals can help ensure that things go smoothly for you and ensure you have stunning golden hour portraits to enjoy after your wedding day."
Golden Hour Wedding Photo Ideas
If you want to take the best wedding photos, we've compiled a bunch of ideas below to serve as photo-inspiration for your upcoming shoot. Don't worry if you've run out of storage on your phone and are unable to screenshot your favorite photos to show your photographer—you can simply create an account and favorite them by clicking the heart icon in the right-hand corner for easy access as needed.
Golden Hour Kiss
Looking to share a smooch with your partner while taking some golden hour light photography? While this couple chose to do so in the middle of a vineyard during their golden hour wedding reception, you can do so anywhere to achieve that ethereal look when the sun is level with you. "Rather than the sun being above us and going downward, it is parallel with us [during golden hour] and can help fill in shadows when facing toward the sunset," Mason explains.
Newlywed Golden Hour Laugh
Share a laugh with your partner with the golden hour sun glimpsing into the frame from behind. While you and your partner can pretend to laugh, throwing out some jokes to lighten the mood can unleash those candid laughs for a more natural-looking shot.
Beach Walk During Golden Hour
Photo: Louis Fort
Take a walk along the beach during golden hour and ask your wedding photographer to snap a couple of candid shots. "For couple positioning, I always love poses that look and feel natural to the couple," says Chan. "If I want something movement-based, I love it when couples hold hands and walk away from the camera into the sunset." While this photo has a bit of a darker look than some other similar golden hour ones, you can ask to take pictures a bit earlier in the day or when the sun is at a different position for a distinct aesthetic.
Golden Hour Getaway Car
We love how this couple decided to keep things traditional and depart from their golden hour wedding ceremony in a getaway car. This merry yet romantic photo could also be recreated for an atypical (but equally romantic) golden hour wedding entrance (minus the just married signs and cans).
Golden Hour Wedding Reception
While you and your partner can be the focus of your golden hour wedding photos, don't be afraid to let your wedding photographer capture your golden hour wedding theme at your golden hour wedding reception. Request that they take a couple of shots of your tablescape before your guests arrive as part of your wedding photography shot list—you'll be glad you did.
Close-Up Golden Hour Photo
Photo: Nicole Chan Photo & Video
Have your photographer come hang out up close for a photo that puts you and your partner's facial expressions at the forefront. Whether you take a position in front of the sun with some rays peeking in around the hair as backlighting, like this couple, for a halo effect, or stand a bit further back, is up to you and your photographer—either way, you'll look golden.
Whimsical Poolside Golden Hour Photo
Photo: Maura Jane Photography
Take a wide shot of you and your partner amidst the magic that is golden hour. Hold hands and look away like this couple, or face each other for a more intimate moment. Don't forget to say "cheese."
Why Is Golden Hour Good for Photography?
Golden hour is good for photography because of its versatility. "That last hour of light is a total gift," says Miami Beach photographer Stacey Ambrosio of Ambrosio Photography. "It cools down, the light softens and it creates the most beautiful, relaxed setting for photos."
Bjorn notes that the conditions of the light during golden hour tend to create more cinematic shots than at other points during the day. "Because of the low angle of the sun, the light tends to illuminate people's entire faces softly without casting harsh shadows under the eyes," he adds. Essentially, golden hour helps create great, effortless-looking shots that radiate beauty (and gold).
