The best natural light happens within the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset. Depending on the time of year, the sun rises in the upstate between 6:15 and 7:30, and sets between 5:20 and 8:45. I usually have my sessions closer to sunset because people tend to not want to be out at sunrise, but I’m usually open to either one.
How you decide whether sunrise or sunset is the better option for you?
Where does the scenic view face?
You’ll want the view behind you, but you also want the sun behind you for more flattering lighting and more colors in the sky. The sun rises over the water on east coast beaches and it sets over the water on west coast beaches. One example in the upstate is Pretty Place Chapel vs. Caesars Head. They overlook the same area, but they face different directions. Pretty Place will have the sun rise behind the cross, and Caesars Head will have the sun set behind the overlook.
Do you want people there?
If you want to avoid crowds, it’s usually better to wake up early and get there before people are usually out. If you want other people there with you, like your family and friends, it might be easier for them to get there at sunset.
Temperature
The outside temperature tends to be cooler at sunrise and warmer at sunset. If you want your photos on a mountain, the cool air in the morning might be too much in the colder months. There could also be ice at higher elevations, which is more likely to form overnight and still be there in the morning. For a summer beach session or an elopement that involves hiking, sunrise might help you beat the heat.
Clouds
Sometimes in the mornings, the clouds are lower. At higher elevations, this might mean you don’t see the views down below, but it could also look really cool.
We arrived to the park right when it opened, which was about an hour after sunrise. Nobody was at the overlook except for us, we were above the clouds, and Leah and Jacob got to spend the rest of the day celebrating being engaged! Read More
Timing
A sunrise session gives you more time to spend the day together later, while a sunset session gives you more time beforehand. If you want to have your hair and makeup done or head to a barbershop before having your photos done, you might have better luck with scheduling that before a sunset session. If you want to get married and spend the rest of your wedding day adventuring, sunrise might be a better option for you.
We had this overlook all to ourselves and the background looks like a painting!
What if I can’t do sunrise or sunset?
It’s not impossible to get good photos midday, but the light isn’t as easy to work with, so it’s harder to get what you want in the background with flattering light on your faces. If midday is the only time you’re available, we can work it out. I typically pose people with the sun behind them, but if that’s not where the pretty background is, I try to have one person block the sun on the other, or I have them face the side so their eyes aren’t in the shadows. The sky tends to be bluer, but the background may be overexposed. Here are a few examples of photos I’ve taken midday to help you get an idea of how they’re different.
I hope this helps you decide what time of the day is the best option for you! For more information about weather and what it might look like in your photos, check out these posts:
Ready for the best day ever?
Photo by Shehzad Ziaee
My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love finding new outdoor places to visit, but we also love hanging out on the couch and watching Pixar movies.
One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.
I can’t wait to meet you!
