What is the ideal time of day for location?
When thinking about a location, it’s also really important to find the best time of day for a portrait session. It’s not going to be great when you do a beach session in the middle of the day when the sun is high, everyone is squinting, and harsh shadows make everyone look bad.
Below is a chart based on when I find the best times to photograph.
To use the chart start at Sunrise or Sunset, you will see there are + and – signs that have hours or half hour steps between them.
For example: You want a beach session in the morning.
The best times in the morning is from half an hour before sunrise ( Sunrise – 30 mins) through to an hour past sunrise (Sunrise + 1 hour).
If sunrise is 7am, it means the best time is from 6.30am – 8am.
There is some wiggle room in all the times too depending on certain locations, ie beaches in Sandringham / Black Rock have large banks which means the good light lasts longer in the morning.
KIDS!
Yes, kids are another big factor into when to book your session. A shoot in the evening for a young child when it’s the usual time they are a bit cranky probably won’t work. Same thing applies to adults, a sunrise session the morning after a “mum’s gone wild wine night” might not work for you.
REMINDER: YOU DON’T NEED TO WORK OUT YOUR TIMING FOR YOUR SESSION!
This is just to give you some a little guidance on when sessions typically take place in the day. I’ll work out the timing for your session with you at your planning session.
Where is the best place to have your portrait session?
Where you have your family portrait is as unique as every family, and we photograph all over the place. It could be the beach you got married on, or your backyard or just somewhere completely different like a city laneway.
Some questions to think about when deciding on a location are:
- Is there a place that is special to you?
- Is there a place you always go to as a family? For example a beach you always go to.
- Is there an activity you all like to do together? For example, walking the dog, getting coffee, or playing games.
- Is there a style of photo you have seen that you think would work for your family?
- You have no idea! This is fine, as when we plan your session, I can help you with some ideas based on your family.
Below are some ideas for places we photograph at various times of the day. Please let me know at your planning session if there is a shot there that you love, and I’ll be able to give you the details on that location and what time it was taken.
