What’s the best time of day for wedding photos? | Boston Wedding Photography

Sunset on the dunes of Cape Cod.

Just before the sun sets, everything is bathed in a warm glow and the sky is painted with brilliant colors. Couples all seem to glow in the flattering light of the “golden hour” just before the sunset and that’s often the best time to schedule your wedding photos.

But most weddings are set up on the photographer’s timeline. You have to balance out those opportunities with the hundred other things that need to get done on the wedding day from getting into the dress, holding the ceremony, and then celebrating with your community. Often “when would the photographer like to shoot portraits” doesn’t even enter into the equation because it’s going to happen at 4:30 PM regardless.

So how do you make the best of less-than-ideal lighting conditions?

Noon - The midday sun is one of the most difficult challenges a photographer can face - the light coming in from overhead will cast harsh, unflattering shadows which can make balancing exposure difficult when you have a lot of contrast (which happens a lot when there’s a bright white dress and a black tux). The simplest solution is to find areas with open shade so light scatters in from one direction but is blocked from overhead (though watch out for uneven shade, which can create unwanted hotspots). If you’re working with two photographers or if your photographer has an assistant, it can be possible to use either a large diffuser (basically a screen to create your own shade) or try and reduce the shadows with your own lighting, but that can take some additional set up and more powerful equipment.

Early Afternoon - As the afternoon wears on the problems of that harsh, direct lighting from overhead are attenuated. Open shade is still very helpful and can be easier to find since the sun is going to be basting longer shadows.

Evening - How do you shoot without light? After the sun has set there’s usuually a period of time known as the “blue hour” where there’s still some amount of soft, diffuse light with a blue tone that can make for beautiful portraits. But as the day wanes you will need to consider off-camera lighting options or strobes. An assistant is very helpful for this but a member of the wedding party can help in a pinch.

What are you planning to do for your wedding photos? Hoping to get some great photos for your wedding day? Then contact Ryan Richardson Photography today to start the booking process.

Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.