Magic hour is a term used by cinematographers and photographers to describe the time when the sun creates the best looking light of the day.  The window to get this gorgeous, golden light only occurs during the first and last hour of sunlight and if used right, can result in some of the best shots of your entire wedding.

When planning your wedding, its a good idea to be aware of when the sun sets. Because of timing, most weddings can only take advantage of the sun going down so make sure you plan something special like the creative session or your ceremony during this last hour of sunset. Let your vendors know (like your cinematographer, photographer, or planner) that this time is important to you and keep good communication with everyone involved.

Magic Hour1

[intense_hr size=”small” shadow=”2″ /]

 

Screen Shot 2013-11-19 at 1.47.03 PM

So what happens if you can’t schedule anything important during magic hour? Not to worry, there are still ways to get great imagery if you use talented cinematographers and photographers.Avoid filming or photographing outside at noon if possible but if you must, try to find even lighting under lots of shade. Using this technique can make a huge difference in the quality. The reason for this is because the sun is shining straight down and it can create unflattering shadows on your face.

Feel free to comment or ask questions below.