Your wedding day is fast approaching, and you are excited and panicked in equal measure. There are so many details and preparations yet to complete and so little time left. Luckily you have a Pinterest board filled with dozens (if not hundreds!) of pinned wedding ideas, not the least of which is a board dedicated to amazing wedding shoots.
It is probably a safe bet that some of those pins include backlit portraits--a common and beautiful trend in photography, particularly wedding photography.
Backlit wedding portraits are captured in a flattering golden tone while focusing on the couple enjoying a private moment; perhaps staring into one another’s eyes or sharing a shy smile or secret chuckle. These photos are characterized by an overall warmth and glow surrounding the couple, giving a sense of magic to the entire image.
Such photography is only possible during the “golden hour” – roughly 45 minutes before the sun sets. During this time, the intensity of the sun is very soft and the light’s low angle and warm temperature allows for a dreamy, romantic wedding photo.
We know you really want to have some romantic portraits like these and fortunately with a little bit of planning you can!
Why Choose the Golden Hour?
Your pictures and video are all that remain after such a big, expensive day, so why not create the perfect environment to achieve the best possible photos? Besides the fact that your photographer will love you, here are some compelling reasons to opt for a golden hour wedding shoot:
1. Dazzling Warm Light
That warm, gorgeous light will definitely enhance the glow in your portraits. This magical glow found in images taken during the golden hour cannot be duplicated by any photographer or achieved through any special lens or technique without a MAJOR production. The sun gets pretty low at this time and provides a really soft light on the face giving it a natural glow. In some cases, this special lighting may also cause some lens flair in your photograph which can add drama to your pictures.
2. Perfect Time for Silhouettes
Yes! Silhouettes are amazing as they add mystery, emotion, and drama to a wedding picture. A silhouette portrait of you and your groom is a must during the golden hour and a perfect addition to your wedding album.
3. Indoors Shots
Most people tend to avoid indoor wedding portraits due to the lack of proper light. If indoor portraits are a must for you, have them done near a window or an open doorway. The light streaming through the windows during the golden hour will lead to brilliant indoor shots.
4. Go Vintage
Just because you take the portraits during the golden hour does not mean the finished product has to be warm and glowing. This lighting technique is versatile and easily lends itself to a vintage look – an exciting topic we’ll reserve for a future article!
5. Light Rims
When you pose with the sun behind you, it creates rims of lights surrounding you, emphasizing your features and creating a truly magical image – and your hair will look spectacular!
Choosing The Perfect Setting and Timeline
Now that we have you excited about golden hour wedding portraits, how can you ensure your wedding day is scheduled to achieve this magical look? The first option is to opt for a late afternoon ceremony followed by a formal photo shoot for family and friends. In this scenario, the bride and groom photo shoot takes place during cocktail hour. This is the perfect time to get amazing photos of yourself with your spouse, however you may need to extend the cocktail hour if you wish to attend part of it. The setting during this time is extremely romantic and magical so it’s well worth it to have a longer cocktail hour.
The second option is to have an early evening wedding, preceded by a formal photo shoot of the couple and their families. This will require the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. If this is an acceptable option to you, it would be our most recommended approach as you will get to enjoy more of your wedding day festivities. Photographs capturing the first moment a couple sees each other is called “first look” and will be discussed in greater detail in future articles.
In both of these scenarios, perfect timing is important, as there is very little time to take advantage of the amazing golden light at sunset. You will have approximately 20 to 30 minutes for your photographer to capture your wedding portraits. It is recommended to have your photographer research ideal spots within the wedding venue and the sunset schedule in order to beautifully capture the most wonderful moments of your life. Take our word for it, you will delight in your dreamy portraits taken during the warm setting of the golden hour.
CREDITS
Article written by: Alain Martinez
Alain Martinez, Creative Director for Aroos Joon, is the Founder and Head Photographer of Alain Martinez Photography based in the United States. Mr. Martinez and his Miami, Florida team of international wedding and lifestyle photographers specialize in wedding, family and boudoir photography. His efforts with Aroos Joon extend his portfolio into the world of Bridal Fashion photography.