If you’ve spent any time looking at outdoor family photos, you’ve probably noticed how some images just have this warm golden glow to them. The colors look rich, skin tones look soft, and the whole image feels a bit magical.
In the photography world, that’s what is called "golden hour." It’s that final hour of daylight right before the sun drops behind our mountain range.
As a photographer, shooting during this window is the absolute best because the light is stunning. But as a mom, I also know the exact reality of what happens during the summer months here in Redmond and Bend: golden hour happens late. We are talking 8:30 PM - 9:00 P.M.
And for most parents of toddlers and young kids, This time range is also bedtime. The exact moment the light looks best is usually the exact moment your sweet kid turns into a bit of a tired sleepy monster.
Trying to balance gorgeous lighting with a kiddos sleep schedule can feel like a total tightrope walk. But I promise you, you don't have to choose between beautiful photos and a happy kid. With a few simple tweaks, I can help you get both.
Why We Avoid the Midday Sun
Parents ask me all the time, "Kayla, can we please just do our photos at earlier in the day so we don't mess with bedtime?"
I completely get it. Getting the kids out of the house between lunch and afternoon naps sounds a million times easier logistically. But from a photography standpoint, that midday sun is brutal.
When the sun is directly overhead, it’s incredibly harsh. It makes everyone squint, puts dark, unflattering shadows under your eyes and nose, and completely washes out the natural colors of the landscape.
Golden hour light is completely different. Because the sun is low on the horizon, the light is soft, warm, gentle and acts like a natural filter. It eliminates squinting, gives us beautiful lighting, and brings out the real colors around us.
Choosing the right time of day isn't just about my personal preference, it’s the difference between an okay photo and an amazing photo you will want to spend your money on.
Prepping Your Kids for a Late Evening
If your session is scheduled for a late summer evening, please don't panic about a potential meltdown. Kids are incredibly resilient when we set them up for success. Here are a few simple things you can do in the days leading up to our session to make things go smoothly:
- Nap Schedule: On the day of your session, try to push their afternoon nap just a little bit later than usual. Even a slightly later or longer rest period helps ensure they wake up with a full tank of energy closer to our start time.
- Feed a Full Dinner Beforehand: Feed your kids a hearty, filling dinner before you put them in the car. A child with a full belly is happier and has way more patience than a kid who is trying to push through a shoot while hungry. Bonus tip for this. Let them pick what's for dinner that evening to prevent the " I don't want to eat this" battle.
- Pack Clean, Easy Snacks: Bring along some backup snacks, but keep them mess-free. Things like puffs, mini marshmallows, or cherrios. Avoid anything with chocolate or bright dyes that can ruin clothes or get stuck in teeth right before photos.
- Make It an Adventure: Kids mirror our energy. If you treat the late evening like a fun, rare adventure where they get to stay up late and play games outside with you, they will show up excited to play.
Child-Led Pace Changes Everything
Even with the absolute best prep, it is totally normal to worry that your kid will get cranky. This is exactly why my session pace is completely child-led. we play games, explore, and focus on real interactions.
If your little one starts getting tired toward the end of our session, I simply adjust what I’m doing. I’ll have you scoop them up for a big cuddle, wrap them tightly against your chest, or let them rest their head on your shoulder while the sun sets behind you.
Those quiet, sleepy, moments capture a beautiful side of early childhood that is completely real. I always work with your child's energy levels, never against them, so the entire experience stays light, playful, and stress-free for your family.
