What is the Best Time of the Day for Portrait Photography?

The best time of the day for portrait photography can make or break your shots. After shooting portraits for over a decade, I’ve learned that timing isn’t just important – it’s everything.

Golden hour (the hour before sunset and after sunrise) is the best time for portrait photography. The sun sits low on the horizon, creating soft, warm light that flatters skin tones and eliminates harsh shadows. Avoid midday shooting (10 AM to 2 PM) when overhead sun creates unflattering “raccoon eyes” and forces people to squint.

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Why Timing Matters More Than Your Camera

You can have the most expensive camera in the world, but terrible lighting will ruin your portraits every time. Natural light changes dramatically throughout the day, and each time period brings its own challenges and opportunities.

According to research by the Nielsen Norman Group, viewers spend 10% more time viewing portrait photos than reading text content, making the quality of your lighting even more important for capturing attention.

Golden Hour: The Portrait Photographer’s Best Friend

Golden hour happens twice daily – about an hour after sunrise and before sunset. During this magical time, the sun sits low in the sky, creating several benefits:

• Soft, diffused light that wraps around your subject
• Warm color temperature that makes skin look healthy
• Even exposure between subject and background
• Natural rim lighting that separates subjects from backgrounds
• Reduced squinting since the light isn’t harsh

The exact timing varies by location and season. In summer, golden hour might stretch longer, while winter offers shorter windows. Use apps like PhotoPills or Sun Surveyor to calculate precise times for your area.

Blue Hour: Drama and Mood

Blue hour occurs just after sunset or before sunrise when the sky glows with deep blue tones. This creates:

• Dramatic backgrounds with rich color
• Even ambient light across the scene
• Perfect balance for mixing flash with ambient light
• Moody atmosphere ideal for creative portraits

Blue hour only lasts 20-30 minutes, so plan your shots carefully. You’ll likely need additional lighting since natural light levels drop quickly.

Midday Photography: The Challenge Zone

Shooting between 10 AM and 2 PM presents the biggest challenges:

• Harsh overhead shadows under eyes and nose
• Squinting subjects from bright sunlight
• High contrast that’s difficult to expose correctly
• Hot, uncomfortable conditions for everyone involved

But midday isn’t impossible. Here’s how to work with it:

• Find open shade under trees or buildings
• Use reflectors to fill harsh shadows
• Position subjects with back to the sun and use flash
• Look for overcast conditions that act like giant softboxes

Overcast Days: Nature’s Softbox

Don’t cancel shoots because of clouds. Overcast conditions provide:

• Perfectly even lighting across faces
• No harsh shadows to worry about
• Saturated colors especially for outdoor portraits
• Comfortable conditions for extended shoots

The soft, wraparound light on cloudy days eliminates most technical lighting challenges, letting you focus on poses and expressions.

Indoor Portrait Timing

For indoor sessions, timing depends on window placement and available light:

• North-facing windows provide consistent, soft light all day
• East-facing windows work best in morning hours
• West-facing windows shine during afternoon sessions
• South-facing windows offer the brightest light but may need diffusion

Position your subject at a 45-degree angle to the window for classic portrait lighting patterns.

Seasonal Considerations

Portrait timing changes with the seasons:

Season	Golden Hour Start	Best Times	Special Notes
Spring	7:00 AM / 7:00 PM	6:00-8:00 AM / 6:00-8:00 PM	Mild weather, fresh backgrounds
Summer	6:00 AM / 8:00 PM	5:30-7:00 AM / 7:30-9:00 PM	Longer days, more flexibility
Fall	7:30 AM / 6:00 PM	7:00-8:30 AM / 5:30-7:00 PM	Beautiful colors, comfortable temps
Winter	8:00 AM / 5:00 PM	7:30-9:00 AM / 4:30-6:00 PM	Shorter windows, plan carefully

Equipment and Settings for Different Times

Your camera settings need adjustment based on timing:

Golden Hour Settings:

• ISO: 100-400 for clean images
• Aperture: f/2.8-f/5.6 for good depth of field
• Shutter Speed: 1/125s or faster to avoid blur

Blue Hour Settings:

• ISO: 800-1600 for adequate exposure
• Aperture: f/2.8-f/4.0 for light gathering
• Shutter Speed: Watch for camera shake

Midday Settings:

• ISO: 100-200 for maximum quality
• Aperture: f/8-f/11 for sharpness in bright light
• Shutter Speed: 1/250s or faster

Working with Difficult Schedules

Real life doesn’t always accommodate golden hour. Here’s how to adapt:

• Morning People: Sunrise sessions offer empty locations and energetic subjects. Kids are typically happiest early in the day.
• Evening Conflicts: If sunset doesn’t work, try the hour before golden hour with reflectors and careful positioning.
• Weekend Warriors: Popular locations get crowded during prime times. Consider slightly off-peak hours or scout alternative spots.

Location-Specific Timing Tips

Different environments require adjusted timing:

• Beach Portraits: Stick strictly to golden hour. Sand and water reflect light intensely, making midday shots nearly impossible.
• Urban Settings: Buildings provide shade and reflective surfaces. You have more flexibility throughout the day.
• Forest Locations: Tree canopy filters harsh light. Midday becomes more workable, but watch for dappled shadows.
• Open Fields: Similar challenges to beaches. Golden hour remains your best bet for quality light.

Advanced Lighting Techniques by Time

• Backlighting During Golden Hour: Position your subject between you and the setting sun. This creates beautiful rim lighting and warm, glowing edges. Use spot metering on the subject’s face to avoid silhouettes.
• Flash Fill During Harsh Light: High-speed sync flash lets you overpower daylight. Set your camera to desired ambient exposure, then add flash to fill shadows.
• Reflected Light Techniques: Use nearby walls, sand, or snow as natural reflectors. White walls bounce soft, even light onto subjects throughout the day.

If you lile to learn more about light, read good portraits with common light sources.

Common Timing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Weather Apps: Check forecasts and cloud cover predictions
2. Not Scouting Locations: Visit spots at your planned shooting time beforehand
3. Rushing Golden Hour: Plan poses and compositions before the best light arrives
4. Forgetting Seasonal Changes: Update your timing calculations monthly
5. Overlooking Backup Plans: Always have indoor or shaded alternatives ready

The Psychology of Light Timing

Warm golden hour light creates feelings of comfort and intimacy. Cool blue hour tones suggest mystery and drama. Harsh midday light can convey energy and urgency when used intentionally.

As renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz once said, “Light is everything in photography. It’s how we see, how we feel, and how we remember.” The time you choose affects not just technical quality but emotional impact.

Making the Most of Any Time

While golden hour remains ideal, great portraits happen at all times when you understand light direction and quality. The key is matching your timing to your creative vision.

For family portraits, prioritize comfort and cooperation over perfect light. Happy subjects in decent light beat miserable subjects in perfect light every time.

For professional headshots, invest time in getting the lighting right. Your client’s first impression depends on it. Read also our guide about face photography.

Planning Tools and Apps

Technology makes timing easier than ever:

• Sun Surveyor: Shows exact sun position for any location and time. Link
• PhotoPills: Calculates golden hour, blue hour, and sun angles. Link
• Weather Apps: Monitor cloud cover and precipitation. Link
• Google: Simple sunset/sunrise times for quick reference. Link

Practical Action Steps

1. Download a sun-tracking app and learn your local golden hour times
2. Practice shooting at different times to understand light quality changes
3. Build relationships with clients who are flexible with timing
4. Develop backup techniques for less-than-ideal lighting conditions
5. Create a timing checklist for different portrait types and seasons

The Bottom Line

The best Time of the Day for Portrait Photography depends on balancing technical quality with practical considerations. Golden hour provides the most forgiving, beautiful light, but don’t let timing constraints prevent you from creating great portraits.

Understanding how light changes throughout the day gives you options. Whether you’re working with cooperative natural light or fighting harsh midday sun, knowing what to expect helps you prepare and adapt.