Golden Hour Magic: Why I Love Photographing at Sunrise and Sunset

As a Vancouver family photographer, one of my favourite things to recommend to clients is booking your session during golden hour — that magical window right after sunrise or just before sunset. This is when the light is soft, warm, and incredibly flattering, making it the perfect time for golden hour family photos.

Sunlight dancing through the trees, golden reflections on the water, and soft pastel skies of a spring evening.

The beauty of golden hour is that it brings a natural glow to your skin and adds depth and warmth to every photo. It’s that dreamy light that makes beach scenes sparkle and gives your images a soft, timeless quality. Here in Vancouver, where we’re lucky to have both ocean and open field backdrops. Golden hour is when everything looks its absolute best.

For sunset sessions, I love locations like Jericho Beach, Kitsilano, Blackie Spit, and Mud Bay Park. These spots offer wide skies, gentle waves, and glowing sunsets that make each session feel magical. We’ll often stay just long enough to capture that last bit of golden light before it disappears. Beaches are the perfect backdrop for relaxed, joy-filled portraits.

If your family prefers mornings or your little ones are early risers, sunrise sessions are just as special. The light is similar to sunset — warm, golden, and soft — but with the added bonus of peace and quiet. I especially love Crescent Beach and Vanier Park for morning sessions. There’s something so calming about having the entire space to ourselves as the day begins.

Whether you choose sunrise or sunset, golden hour family photos are about more than just good lighting — they’re about capturing your family in the most beautiful, honest way, bathed in nature’s best light. Let’s make the most of it together. Follow me on instagram and see all the golden hour magic!