29/05/2026
One of the reasons I don't let customers choose the time for outdoor family sessions.
Every summer I get messages like:
"It's such a beautiful sunny day! Can we meet at 12pm or 1pm?"
And every time I read that message, I have to resist the urge to throw myself dramatically into the nearest hedge.Not because I have lunch plans.Because that's literally the worst possible time to photograph you.I know. It sounds completely backwards.
Sunny day = great photos, right? Wrong!!!!❌❌
At 12pm the sun is directly above your head trying its absolute best to give you:panda eyes,shiny foreheads,squinty eyes,random shadows across your face,skin tones that look like you've spent a week on a budget airline to Tenerife.
Then when I suggest meeting at 8pm or even 9pm, people look at me like I've completely lost the plot.
But the beautiful images you see on my website?
The soft light.The golden glow.The dreamy colours.The gorgeous skin tones.
That's not because I sprinkled Photoshop fairy dust on them afterwards.That's because of the light.
And unfortunately I still haven't figured out how to negotiate with the sun to move golden hour to 2pm.Trust me, I've tried.😅
I know late evening sessions can be challenging, especially with younger children, and I always try to find the best compromise possible.
But if you've ever wondered why photographers become slightly obsessive about sunset times...
Now you know 😌