Every photographer has their version of chasing the light. Mine happens in the twenty or so minutes right after the sun dips below the horizon, what's known as "golden hour" (though photographers like me tend to stretch the definition generously).
In that window, something shifts. The harsh shadows disappear. The sky turns into a gradient of amber, rose, and violet. And the light that hits your face becomes the most flattering, cinematic, otherworldly thing a camera has ever seen.
Here's why I build every wedding day timeline around it.
What Actually Happens to the Light
The science is simple. When the sun is high in the sky, its light travels a shorter path through the atmosphere. It's direct, harsh, and casts deep, unflattering shadows.
At golden hour, that same light travels at an angle through much more atmosphere. The shorter wavelengths (blues and purples) scatter away. What remains is warm, golden, diffused, and absolutely gorgeous on skin.
The Problem Most Couples Don't Know About
Here's the thing: golden hour at a June wedding in Tampa might be 8:15 PM. Most receptions are in full swing by then. The cake has been cut. The first dances are done.
If we're not intentional about it, we miss it entirely.
That's why I always talk to my couples about a "golden hour escape", just 15 to 20 minutes to slip away from the reception, walk somewhere with a clean horizon, and let the light do what it does.
The photos from those 20 minutes are almost always the favorites of the entire gallery.
How We Make It Work
On the timeline: We schedule the escape deliberately. I work backwards from sunset and block that time with your coordinator. It's non-negotiable.
On location: We scout the venue in advance. Where does the sun set relative to the property? Is there an open field, a rooftop, a dock? We find the spot before the day.
On the couple: I tell every couple: trust me on this one. Even if you feel tired, even if you're worried about your guests, the 20 minutes are worth it. Every single time.
What to Expect
When we step away from the reception, here's what usually happens:
- You take a breath and remember it's your wedding day
- You look at each other without 150 other people in the room
- The light hits you in a way you didn't know was possible
- I take some of the most beautiful portraits of my career
And then we go back to the party.
Planning your wedding timeline? Let's talk through the details and I'll make sure we capture this moment on your day.