Golden Hour vs. Blue Hour: Which is Best?

If you’re here, you’ve probably heard the terms “golden hour” and “blue hour,” but maybe you don’t know exactly what they mean. So, here’s a quick explainer on picking the best time of day for your photography session!

Golden hour and blue hour are both popular times of day for photography, and each offers its own unique lighting and atmosphere.

Golden hour is the period of time just after sunrise or just before sunset when the sun is low on the horizon and the light is warm and golden. During this time, shadows are longer and the light is diffused, which can create a soft, dreamy effect in your photos – which is perfect for couples portraits!

Blue hour, on the other hand, is the period of time just before sunrise or just after sunset when the sky takes on a blue hue. During this time, the light is cooler and bluer, which can create a more moody and dramatic effect in your photos.

Both golden hour and blue hour can be great times to capture stunning photos, but they offer different moods and lighting conditions. Golden hour is often preferred for portraits and landscape photos, while blue hour is great for cityscapes and architecture photography.

Ultimately, the choice between golden hour and blue hour will depend on the mood and effect you want in your photos. For this Las Vegas elopement photographer, I’m highly experienced with both! When it comes to the downtown Vegas landscape, we get some extra blue hour moments because of the tall casinos everywhere. So, when planning your photo session on your elopement day, consider how the buildings and landmarks will affect the planned sunset!

Ready to get on my photography calendar? Let’s do this!