How to get the best golden hour family photos

There's something about golden hour family photos that just hits differently, like you've managed to catch a little bit of magic right as the day is winding down. It's that brief, glowy window of time just before the sun dips below the horizon, when everything looks like it's been brushed with gold and the harsh shadows of midday finally give it a rest. If you've ever scrolled through a photographer's portfolio and wondered why some shots feel warm and ethereal while others feel a bit flat, the secret is almost always the timing. ...

May 12, 2026 · 7 min · Lawrence Gregorich