If you’re looking for an easy guide to golden hour photography, look no further! Here are my top beginner’s tips for golden hour photography that will give you that dreamy, insta-worthy aesthetic and warm Instagram feed vibes we all crave…
For crisp, professional-looking photos, we use the Canon 80D DSLR camera. I truly love this camera, and it takes excellent videos as well! Shop this camera through my affiliate link by clicking on the photo below…
Get the timing right…
So when is golden hour? Golden hour is usually the last hour before the sun sets (so if the sun sets at 5:00pm, golden hour is usually from 4-5pm) or the hour after the sun rises. The lighting will change in intensity a bit over this span of time, so keep that in mind. I’ve found that the orange-y effect intensifies during the end of the evening golden hour, and during the beginning of the morning golden hour. The lighting will be a bit more dramatic, but play around with the changing of the light to see what kind of effect you’re looking for. Here’s an example of different golden hour light at different times…
Experiment with lighting behind the subject vs. direct light…
Both golden hour lighting behind the subject and direct light can yield stunning results; it’s all about the vibe you’re going for! If you’re looking for something dreamier and more whimsical, place the lighting behind your subject (this also avoids a ton of shadows on the face!). If you’re looking to highlight outfit details or want a less-airy vibe, opt for direct lighting. Here’s some examples of direct lighting vs. lighting behind…
Here’s a diagram showing how to place your photograph subject for optimal lighting in either scenario…
Balance saturation and shadows through editing…
You’ll want to avoid making your photo appear too orange or strongly shadowed, and sometimes it might require a bit of post-photography editing! Play around with different effects, filters, and saturation levels to see what fits your photo the best! We use Adobe Lightroom to edit photos and it’s very easy to learn! Get a subscription to Adobe Lightroom here. Here’s an example of one of my photos pre-and post-edits…
Play around with shadows…
Golden hour is perfect for playing around with the ultra-aesthetic element of shadows! Stand by a window with blinds, the shadow of a tree, etc. for some beautiful shadows! Shadows add depth to an image, so don’t be afraid to use them to your advantage. Pro tip- make sure there’s not too many shadows or a really busy background/outfit, as it can make the photo look messy and lose impact. In addition, ensure there aren’t any shadows making awkward shapes or causing unintentional lines on the subject cuz it can make the photo look less professional or even comical in not a good way! Here’s an example of a lingerie golden hour photoshoot I did with some strategic window shadows…
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Xx Tabi
