A stunning look is essential for engagement photography. Good lighting helps create that look. While there are all kinds of options for engagement photo lighting, you will want to consider golden hour lighting. More specifically, you will want to consider golden hour engagement photos.
There are many reasons why, but it’s important to understand what the golden hour is first.
The Reason Behind The Name
The golden hour, for those who may not know, is the hour just after sunrise and the hour just before sunset. Because of its proximity to the horizon during these times, the sun’s light creates a softer, warmer look that many couples prefer for their engagement photos.
6 Reasons You Should Consider Golden Hour Engagement Photos
Although there are many reasons you should consider golden hour engagement photos, the ones listed here are the most important. They are not in any certain order, but each is an essential part of why golden hour engagement photos are worth your time and consideration.
The first has to do with their versatility.
#1 – Golden Hour Engagement Photos Are Versatile
While there are many different kinds of lighting, golden hour lighting offers some of the most versatility due to its warm, soft look. In other words, an experienced photographer understands that golden hour photos can be shot from multiple different angles with equally stunning results.
They could, for example, shoot the engagement session facing the sun, and it would give your golden hour engagement photos some beautiful backlighting. Or they could shoot it with you facing the sun, which elevates your skin tone more. You could also shoot from multiple different angles in the same photo shoot.
Depending on your chosen venue, this also means you won’t be constrained to only a few of its spots. Although you’ll want to stick to a timeline, you’ll also have more opportunities to add some shots into your engagement session you weren’t planning on but may have discovered during the shoot.
#2 – Golden Hour Engagement Photos Elevate Appearance
Natural lighting brings out the best in us, and when it comes to natural lighting, golden hour lighting is one of the most flattering kinds of light for our skin’s appearance. Because it’s a warm, soft, romantic kind of light, it gives your skin the same kind of look. It flattens your skin tone, smoothing out the shadows and contrasts, so you take on a softer, glowing look.
In other words, your photos will look more beautiful, and so will you and the one you love.
#3 – They Deepen The Romance
An engagement session is a deeply romantic event. That set of pictures perfectly captures your commitment to one another, and it gives you an opportunity to reaffirm that commitment in a special way.
Golden hour engagement photos do that even more so.
Because golden hour engagement photos are filled with that warm, soft light, your mood will soften and grow warmer too. So will your partner’s mood.
Basking in the light of the sunrise or sunset, you’ll want to hold each other even closer, and you’ll want to lock eyes with one another even longer too. You’ll feel completely in the present moment, knowing nothing else except the love you share together.
These photos create a mood that deepens your connection while providing you with a beautiful way to enjoy looking back on those moments down the road.
#4 – They Encourage Planning Ahead
Plans aren’t just for weddings. Engagement photos require them, too. Since golden hour engagement photos can only last an hour, it’s essential to make good use of the time you have.
Even with limited time, that doesn’t mean you’ll want to rush through your engagement session though. Creating a plan means designing one that includes all the shots you want. It also means thinking hard about what those shots should be.
You’ll want to discuss this with your photographer. They’ll help you develop a plan that makes sense and gives you the kinds of pictures you want, too.
#5 – Golden Hour Engagement Photos Have A Proven Track Record
Golden hour engagement photos are still popular for a reason. They’re beautiful, and countless couples have enjoyed the end result. However, please don’t think this means you have to choose them. It does mean you can have peace of mind from knowing they’re a tried and true option though.
#6 – Your Photographer Will Likely Have Experience With This Type Of Photos
Although a good photographer should be able to adapt to a client’s needs, it’s always better when they already have experience with the type of photos their client is looking for. Thankfully, many photographers will already have experience with golden hour engagement photos due to their popularity.
That means they’ll know how to get the best out of photos like those as well as how to pose you for the best shots possible. That also means they’ll know how to appropriately prepare for the session and how to adapt if changes are necessary too.
Final Thoughts On Golden Hour Engagement Photos
As an engagement photographer, I have shot golden hour engagement photos many times. I love shooting those photos, and I recommend them to couples because of all the reasons above and because I know they’ll be thrilled with the end result.
If you’d like to be the next couple I shoot for, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you, whether you’re looking for golden hour engagement photos or another kind.
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