Golden hour is that dreamy time when the sun is setting and the sun leaves a gorgeous golden wash over everything it touches. It’s prime time for us photographers and we chase the light to create the images that will turn out to be breath-taking memories for our clients.

Golden hour photography is amazing.

If you’re new to shooting during the golden hour, it can be a little tricky. The light is much brighter and, when setting, which can create elongated shadows that less harsh than midday but still take your image across a wide variety of light to dark. Your camera settings and how you set up your subject are crucial to capturing a beautiful image.

My Tips

I’m sharing my 5 best tips for golden hour photography. Next time you have a session during golden hour, keep these tips in mind and you’ll set yourself up for success.

​TIP 1 – Check your sunset time.

You want to make sure you schedule your shoot DURING golden hour– not too early or not too late. Since sunset times are always changing, use an app to track sunset times. There are many available on the app store depending on your device to find one that works for you. You’ll generally want to schedule a session 2 hours before sunset to make the most of that eretheral golden hour light.

​TIP 2 – All about the settings.

First thing’s first– set your white balance! Next, look at the rest of your camera settings. Your camera settings have a lot to do with how your final images will turn out. The right settings give you enough detailed information in the darker areas to lighten them up, without completely blowing out your brighter spots, while also keeping the temperature in mind.I usually shoot 1-2 stops underexposed. My shutter speed is always high and ranges between 500-1500 during sunset hours depending on the strength of the light.  My usual aperture setting for people is f 2.8. I try to keep my ISO as low as possible, it’s mostly on 100.
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​TIP 3 – Use a reflector.
A reflector is going to work wonders bouncing the beautiful golden hour light back onto your subject. If you’re shooting with the light behind your subject, use a reflector to bounce light back onto their front. A reflector is a standard tool you should invest in! I keep one in my bag at all times and use it frequently.

​TIP 4 – Invest in a great camera.
Investing in a high-quality camera might require a bit more upfront, but it’s a game-changer, especially when shooting during the dramatic golden hour. My Canon R5 captures an incredible amount of detail, allowing me to edit the image in Lightroom without losing any of that crucial information.

TIP 5 – Edit with presets designed for golden hour photography.

Editing your images with my Dreamlight presets are going to give you that ultimate dreamy golden hour look with little amounts of work! Use the right settings and a reflector, pull the image into Lightroom and watch Dreamlight work its magic! Dreamlight is designed specifically for golden hour so if there is one preset you’re thinking of buying, this is it.

Start Here

If your edits have been inconsistent or never quite come together, start here:

→ Best Lightroom Presets for Photographers
→ Shop Lightroom Presets

• The Best AI Golden Hour Presets for Lightroom
• What Makes Golden Hour Photos So Special?
• Tips for Shooting at Golden Hour
• Lightroom Presets for Golden Hour
• Golden Hour Edit

The Best AI Golden Hour Presets for Lightroom