The Best Time of Day for Portraits

For evening light, we start before sunset

If you would like portraits in warm evening light, I usually suggest starting around two hours before sunset. This gives us room to explore different lighting conditions and see how a place changes during the session.

It is a starting point, not a fixed rule. The season, location and pictures you have in mind all matter. Those two hours refer to when we begin; they do not define the length of the session.

What a lower sun changes

As the sun gets lower, light reaches the face from the side. With backlighting, hair can catch a fine rim of light while the face stays in shade. I enjoy these possibilities because changing the direction of the light can give portraits very different moods.

When needed, I add a reflector or a small flash to balance the face with its surroundings.

Other times of day can work too

Direct midday sun can cast pronounced shadows under the eyes and nose. In that situation, I look for open shade, a passageway or a courtyard. An overcast sky changes things again, making us less dependent on direct sunlight.

That is why I consider the time and location together. My article on portrait locations in Vienna shows a few options. For a particularly controlled look, a studio session may also be a good fit.

Planning your session

We start with the pictures you would like and your availability. I then suggest a suitable location and time. Tell me about your idea, and we can work out the details together.