What's the Best Time of Day for an Outdoor Family Photoshoot? | Seattle Family Photographer

What’s the best time of day for a family photo shoot?

We are so lucky to live in a beautiful place like Seattle. The city, the mountains, the views… breathtaking! We couldn’t live in a more photogenic city.

But here’s the thing: Some times of day are much, much better than others to have your family photos taken. So, when’s the best time of day?

Golden Hour is the best time of day for photos

Golden Hour is the time of day right before sunset where the light is gorgeous and makes everyone and everything look good. We LOVE to schedule outdoor sessions at Golden Hour. For those of you with little ones, we recommend a late nap and a snack/dinner before the session so they’re in the best mood possible.

But some families can’t stay up that late with little ones, and that’s okay! Or maybe there are other scheduling conflicts that get in the way of an evening shoot. Either way, if you can’t do your session in the evening, we are happy to accommodate.

If not Golden Hour, the morning is second best

Here at Elena S Blair Photography, we are masters of light. We will be able to serve your family and deliver beautiful photos no matter the time of day. So, if you can’t make a Golden Hour shoot work, no problem! We will schedule your session for the morning, usually around 9 or 10am when the sun isn’t too far up in the sky just yet. Also, kids are usually in a great mood in the morning, which is another reason to love morning sessions!

Check out this recent morning session, shot by our amazing associate Chelsea!

Chelsea still has a few spots open for the rest of the year, so click the button below to grab a session with her!

And if you’re not quite ready to book, click here to learn more about our sessions and pricing!

Walder | Seattle Family Photographer

So I don't even know where to begin. It's funny how many photographers I meet who are or were also registered nurses. There has to be something there. Perhaps we are simply drawn to human connection in any form, because that is one parallel I find in both careers. Connection. 

Amber and I are both nurses and both are photographers. We both feel passionate about family and community. We have so many similarities. 

When she asked me to photograph them while they were on vacation here in Seattle I was absolutely honored. 

This shoot is everything I want my art to say. It is raw, it is real, it is authentic, it is all the descriptive words I strive for. :)

Family photography is my life's  work. I know there are many talented photographers in the world and when someone decides to take time out of their vacation for me to capture them I don't take that privilege lightly. 

I hope you can feel what I felt when I took these images. I hope you can tell how powerful this mama is. I hope you can get a glimpse into just how tender and loving this papa is. I hope you feel the rowdy energy from her three boys yet the sweet love and adoration they have for each other. I hope you can tell that her baby girl is in a season in life where she loves her mama fiercely. 

I just hope I did them justice. 

Brynlee | Seattle Newborn Photography

If I had to describe what my newborn sessions feel like, I would say they feel like an easy Sunday morning. 

I always schedule my sessions around 10:00 am. The reason is that I have learned over the years from being a mama to three babies, from caring for hundreds of newborns in my former career  as a NICU nurse, and also from photographing hundreds of newborns, that they tend to be calmer in the morning. Also, light indoor is typically better in the am. 

So when I arrive the house is usually just getting going. Coffee is typically brewing, mama is getting ready perhaps for the first time since having her baby, if there are siblings they are usually running around in their undies or diapers, and dad is usually laid back and helping get things in order. It feels just as it should. 

I never ask my families to do any strange or uncomfortable poses and I allow the baby to lead the session 100%. Baby needs to nurse 10 times, great. Baby wants to be awake the whole time, beautiful. Baby is sleepy and allows me to unfold her in a beautiful and natural way, wonderful. 

When I leave, I feel like I just had a cup of coffee with an old friend who had just given birth. I don't feel stressed or like I just worked in the least. In fact, I feel invigorated and grateful that I get to do this for a living. 

So, easy like Sunday morning, is how I would describe my newborn sessions. :)

Oscar | Seattle Newborn Photographer

You guys, this session may want to make you have another baby. Just warning you. :)

I have known this family for about a year now. I had the honor of capturing them last spring. So I was thrilled to be invited into their home to help welcome their third beautiful baby boy. 

The love in this house was palpable. These big brothers didn't have a bit of jealousy for their little brother, only love and complete adoration. It literally made my heart melt. 

I have shared a ton here because as usual, I couldn't help myself. Enjoy. 

Hart | Seattle Family Photography

I may have gone a little overboard on how many images I am sharing from this session. Buuuut I was so excited about it I couldn't resist. :)

I have known this family a long time. Our kids go to the same school. When mama said she wanted to have photos done because A. their oldest is about to move to Germany for two years and B. They haven't had family photos done in 10 years!! I was super excited. 

We met on one of the longest days of the year. Which means we met at 8:00 pm as the sun was setting around 9:30! I had so much fun spending my evening with them. I know the parents may have thought they were being a little too rowdy but I thought they were perfection. 

Enjoy this gorgeous family!