The “Magic Hour” for this family’s photo session is NOT at sunset
And it probably isn’t for your family, either…
Up early and ready to roll for this family beach photo session in Milford, CT.
One of the best reasons to have a family beach photo session is that gorgeous, wonderful light reflecting off the sand and the water. It gives photos a lovely quality and is really flattering for everyone. That’s why I try to schedule all of my family beach photo sessions for the “Magic Hour”, aka the “Golden Hour”. That’s usually the last hour of sunlight in the day right after the sun sets. About that time the special quality of golden light makes particularly awesome photographs.
Happy girls at the beach
OK, some reality here…
Unfortunately, any mom of young children knows that that is also sometimes called “Hell Hour!!!” . When breakdowns and tantrums come fast and furious after a long day. And I’m not just talking about the kiddos!…
So, when this couple wanted a family beach photo session with all three of their lovely kids, including a 9-month-old, we decided to do exactly the opposite of the end of the day session. This mom knows that her kids are fresh and happiest at the very beginning of the day, when they’re fed and well rested.
And, she was game for getting everyone up, fed, dressed, and down to Silver Sands Beach in Milford EARLY in the morning.
Lucky that I’m a morning person, because it’s just what this family needed to get some memorable family photographs.
The good news is that it worked!
Beach bonding for the boys
We were able to have a totally relaxed photo session by the water, on a gorgeous morning, and everyone had a great attitude with nary a whine or whimper to be heard.
There were a couple of other bonuses of having the family beach photo session at the very beginning of the day. The biggest was that there were hardly any other beach goers at that hour, and most of those people were out for their morning walk, not lounging and setting up shop on the beach. This allowed us full access to the most scenic areas, without having to elbow our way in.
Baby loves the beach, too!
Also, it was just so darn peaceful and calm. I’m talking about the water, the air, the general vibe. We all felt it, and it was a lovely way to start the day.
