Updated September 9, 2022

Have you ever seen a portrait in natural light where the subject looked like she had Hitler’s mustache? No, not because she had an overabundance of facial hair directly under her nose. Rather the shadow of her nose was so strong it made you look twice to see if you saw it right.

Obviously, that’s not what you want people to be focusing on when they see your portrait.

This mistake happens when you take portraits in natural light at noon when the sun is strong and directly overhead (and you don’t compensate). The subject ends up with harsh shadows on their face that are not flattering for anyone. 

So, when is the best time of day for outdoor photos? How do you get a gorgeous portrait in natural light? Read on to find out!

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Blue Hour

There are two unique times of day that are a natural light photographer’s dream, blue hour and golden hour. These are the moments right around sunrise and sunset. 

Blue hour happens twice and day and, despite the name, does not last an hour. Depending on weather conditions, time of year, and a few other factors, the blue hour can last for about 20-40 minutes. It happens just before sunrise and just after sunset when it is not fully dark, but not fully light and the sky turns a romantic shade of deep blue. 

Golden Hour

If you’ve been in photography for any time at all, you have probably heard of the golden hour. This is the time of day when the sun is low in the sky and casting a soft, diffused light on the subject. This type of light is beautiful and flattering on people’s faces. 

The light is also more “golden”, giving the photos a warmer atmosphere. Like the blue hour, the golden hour doesn’t last long, but if you’re ready you can get some magical shots. 

Photographers gush over this time of day and some will only schedule outdoor portraits in natural light during these times. You can figure out when the golden hour will happen in your area here.

Morning and Afternoon

The trouble with both blue hour and golden hour is that they might not be very convenient, depending on where you are in the world and what time of year it is. Many photo clients won’t want to get up at the crack of dawn to take photos and the evening slot may be too late to be convenient. 

The good news is that morning and afternoon light can also offer flattering portraits. The sun won’t be casting such harsh shadows, nor will it be overwhelming the scene with orange and red as can sometimes happen during the golden hour. 

Just be aware of where you place your subject. If they’re looking into the sun, you may end up with squinty eyes in the photos. 

Noon

Taking portrait photos outdoors at noon is not the most ideal conditions. As we pointed out earlier, this strong lighting can lead to undesirable harsh shadows on the subject’s face that make their wrinkles and blemishes stand out. 

Also, you’ll end up with dark shadows and blown-out highlights. Unless you like a really contrasty photo, you won’t be happy with the results. 

There are a few ways to compensate so you don’t have to discount this time of day completely. 

Working with Undesirable Lighting

What if you have to take photos when the sun is high in the sky? The good news is that you still can, you just need to know how to compensate.

Find Shade

The best way to get rid of those harsh shadows is to get your subject out of the sun. Find a shady spot, but be wary of trees or other objects that cast dappled shade. This does not work for portrait photos (unless you’re doing some kind of creative shoot and playing with the dappled light). 

Instead, have them stand in the shadow of a building or something else that is large and solid. You can also have them stand under an overhang, close enough to the edge that soft sideways light is spilling onto their face, but back far enough to avoid the strong shadows. 

Adjust in Lightroom

You can also soften dark shadows and bring down bright highlights to some extent in Lightroom (or whatever photo editing software you use). However, you need to be aware of the limitations. Expose for your subject’s face and make sure that nothing on their body is too bright and blown out. It’s impossible to bring back completely blown out details in post-production. 

Use a Reflector

You can use a reflector to fill in shadows a little on your subject’s face. This, combined with adjusting in post can usually lend a beautiful result, as long as you get your exposure right in camera. These reflectors are lightweight and portable, which is great for photography on the go.

The Best Time of Day for Portraits in Natural Light

So, when is the best time of day for outdoor photos? In reality, photos can be taken at any time of day. The light, however, will have an effect on the mood of the photo. If you want intrigue and romance, aim for the blue or golden hour. The morning and afternoon can also be nice for family portraits. These times also definitely give you more flexibility when working around nap schedules and such for shoots with children. 

If you need to shoot in strong sunlight you probably won’t produce your best work, but you can certainly produce a lovely photo when done right. 

Now that you’ve got a handle on the lighting, you might be wondering how to introduce more emotion into your portraits. Check out how to do that here!