Lighting in colorado can change with the seasons, the weather and the location you’re in. However a common question I get when planning a wedding timeline, engagement session or any portrait session really is - when should we take photos? Here is a guide to those lighting situations that you might run into based on when you schedule your photos.
Sunrise to mid morning
If you’re a morning person who loves bottomless mimosas, brunch and cool air - an early morning session or sunrise session might be the best option for you! Early morning light has a similar affect to what many call ‘golden hour’ meaning the light peaks over the horizon and showers you with dramatic beams of light and also diffuses into a gorgeous haze of light. Here are some examples from early morning sessions:
Rocky Mountain Brunch Elopement
RiNo Downtown Denver Senior Photos
Positives to early sessions:
Beautiful light
Less crowds, busier more popular spots are less crowded in the early hours of the morning
You’re productive AF because you’re up early!
Negatives to early sessions:
Cooler weather, before the sun rises and has a chance to heat up the weather can be quite chilly especially in the mountains.
This one should be obvious but I’ll still say it - you have to wake up earlier. Like 2 am earlier, to get ready, to drive to try on 14 outfits, it’s early people.
Late morning to mid day
Mid day light gives way to direct light, which a lot of photographers shy away from but I absolutely love the contrast a direct light beam can give! If you’re outside it’s typically more comfortable to stand in the shade but if there is one (like the engagement session below) you just embrace the light and love all the details it shows between you and your loved one! Here are some examples from this time frame:
Rocky Mountain National Park Engagement
Positives to mid day sessions:
Contrasting shadows to light makes dramatic images.
Easier to schedule sometimes if you need to travel further away for a session.
Negatives to mid day sessions:
Direct sunlight especially in the summer can be uncomfortable - wear sunscreen!
If you’re hoping to pose under shadows, occasionally large parties can’t be accommodated as well and shadows can create marks on faces if they don’t all fit.
Afternoon to golden hour
Ok, so maybe I’m biased because some of my favorite images have come from this time frame but I’d say 2 hours to 1.5 hours before sunset is my absolute favorite time to shoot. Shadows are reduced because the sun has lowered and it’s such a smooth and consistent lighting it flatters pretty much anyone. You’ll notice this is my most recommended time. Here are some examples from this time frame:
Rocky Mountain National Park Engagement
Denver Botanic Gardens Elopement
Positives to afternoon sessions:
They don’t call it golden hour for nothing, it’s the most flattering time of light.
The weather is cooling down for the day and it’s less direct so you’re typically a little more comfortable.
Since the sun isn’t fully setting yet you get slightly less of a washed out sky.
You can easily schedule hair/nails/etc beforehand.
Negatives to afternoon sessions:
This is a very popular time for photo locations - you need to expect other people in your photos possibly or around watching.
Golden hour to sunset
Sunsets are freaking gorgeous, do I need to say more here? If you love that sun beam between the bodies, full of light ambient feeling then golden hour to sunset timeframe is the one for you! While this seems redundant to the category above the main difference here is sunset specifically, so starting an hour before sunset and ending then at sunset. Here are some examples from this time frame:
Spruce Mountain Wedding (Specifically after the ceremony)
Lookout Mountain Family Photos
Positives to sunset sessions:
They don’t call it golden hour for nothing, it’s the most flattering time of light. ^^ same as above
You can rock that straight shot back lit golden feeling straight from the sun itself.
You end your day taking photos, and I’m sorry but there’s no better way!
Depending on the time of year this gives you a lot of flexibility and can accommodate work schedules easily.
Negatives to sunset sessions:
This is a very popular time for photo locations - you need to expect other people in your photos possibly or around watching. ^^ same as above but even more so at locations like Lost Gulch or Mt Falcon (even more so in the fall).
Sunset to late night
Good news, as you may have noticed, all times are good times to take photos in Colorado (or wherever you may be from!). Night time photos can have a stunning and dramatic impact. This wedding was slightly delayed and the photos ended up taking place at sunset and since we were limited on time, I pulled the couple out for a long exposure in the starlight. (They nailed it, clearly) Here are some examples from this time frame:
A-Basin Wedding in the Mountains
Positives to late night sessions:
Gorgeous shots that are unique to your common wedding or portrait photography.
Capture unique things like the milky way or northern lights using long exposure.
If you’re in the mountains you can get that alpenglow at the right time which lights up mountains in a rich pink-orange hue.
Negatives to late night sessions:
There is little to no natural light, which can impact the colors and quality of your photos if the photographer does not have equipment to handle that. (Pro tip: ALWAYS ask your photographer their lighting experience if there is a chance there won’t be light available)
Long exposure requires you to be more still than you would be for a typical posed photo.
