I generally give my clients 2 options for their session time; Sunrise or Sunset. Not surprisingly, most of my clients choose sunset… but there are a few valid reasons why sunrise is a better option for you and your family. It was the better choice for the cute Granados Family for their sunrise family pictures session at Saguaro Lake, here’s why.
3 reasons a sunrise session might be for you
1. When I gave the Granados family the option of sunrise or sunset, mama was initially leaning towards sunset. But then she remembered… her kids are early risers and get up really early anyway, and decided to go with a sunrise session. I think it was definitely the right choice for her kids, they were super alert, happy, and had fun running around and playing first thing. If your kids like to get up early, sunrise might be the best time for your family pictures session.
2. Another reason you might consider a sunrise session is if your kids go to be early. Especially during the summer as sunset gets later and later, like at 7 or 8 pm. Like my daughter, her bedtime is usually 7 pm so starting pictures at 6:30 pm and shooting until 7:30 will most likely mean she’s going to be grumpy and tired. If your kids are like mine, Sunrise might be for you… that or make sure to schedule in the late fall, winter, or early spring when sunset is closer to 5 pm… your kids will be so much happier which means more cooperative!
3. Finally, there’s one more reason you might want to consider a sunrise session… to get it over with! I don’t know about you… but when we schedule family pictures… our whole day is about family pictures. From the moment we get up, my whole world revolves around keeping my daughter and husband happy, making sure we don’t do anything that will make us too tired, and getting ready for pictures. By the time it’s over, our one-hour session has consumed a whole day of our lives! Good thing I LOVE family pictures. Sunrise sessions eliminate most of that extra time and stress because you get it done first thing.
why A SUNRISE SESSION MIGHT not BE FOR YOU
Of course the inverse of all of these might also be true… if so… a sunrise session most definitely is not for you! If your kids like to sleep in or take a while waking up, sunrise probably isn’t their best time of day. If they like to stay up late, a later start time probably won’t bug them too much. And maybe you need that whole day to work up to it, get everyone excited and then treat yourselves to ice cream afterward.
The takeaway here is that there’s no right answer for everyone. The best time for family pictures is a combination of 2 things: 1) when the light is best (sunrise/sunset) and 2) your families personal preferences. You know your family best mama, do what is right for you.
I’d love to work with you! Please contact me to book your next Saguaro Lake family pictures session! To view more of my work and stay up to date, follow me on Instagram.
