Oh, That Golden Light...

Morning; the time when we awaken from our dreams. A clean slate from the day before. The first moments drinking our hot cup of joe, ready to start the tasks ahead of us. It's a time where I feel most productive, and when I feel the most energy throughout my day. A line, I would not be saying almost 6 years ago...

Before I had kids, the only times I'd ever wake up early were days I had to be in the office before 8am. I hated every second of it. The weekends were my time to sleep in; basically wasting my mornings away and I LOVED every bit of it. Then, my daughter came along and oh my, was my normal routine thrown into a tornado. My girl is and always was a morning person. Up at sunrise and more than ready to start the day. I had no choice but to adapt to her likings. To all my parent readers out there, you know that once those sweet little babe comes along your world gets flipped upside down and your life as you know it is not the same as it was. I wanted to be able to not only adapt but to appreciate my morning 'lifestyle'.

So, I bet you are wondering "what does this have to do with photography?" A LOT, I promise :) .

Golden hour is the time in the day, about an hour or so before the sun sets where the light is SO golden over the horizon. It is every photographers soft spot to shoot during this time. I will be the first to admit that if I schedule a session during golden hour, it will surely be a home run. Just take a look and see for yourself:

you get the idea. Golden, beautiful, glowing light that just makes you go 'ahhhhhhhh' when you see it (I know I do). NOW, what does this have to do with my little blurp about the early mornings and my kids? right, okay -- 

I got it wrong. I got it ALL wrong, friends. Golden hour is wonderful, yes, but thanks to my daughter and my new appreciation for that early morning start of the day I have a new found LOVE for SUNRISE SESSIONS. Oh. My. Goodness I was living under a rock all these years. Sunrise is where you need to be. The soft quiet air around you with the frost settling on every single leaf of grass. That faint yellow line you see upon the horizon waiting for that gold sun to make it's grand entrance. It's romantic enough as is, all you need is... 

OH yes... that golden gorgeous light and a gorgeous couple. IN THE MORNING! Thank you, sweet daughter for giving me the opportunity to appreciate that morning sunrise! I was truly missing out, but I am no longer!

​ Here is a small little photographer tip: When we think of golden light (golden hour, sunrise sessions, etc) we always go right to Summer time. Listen friends, Winter time is a must for sunrises. There is something so fiercely golden doing those January days that you don't see in the June-August months. Big bonus, sunrise times are MUCH later than in the summer. There is still time, get out there bright and early my friends - go appreciate that beautiful morning sun.