The term photography means the “art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface.”
I’m sure you have heard of the term “Golden Hour” before. Most photographers, especially portrait photographers, swear by the "golden hour" as this is the time of day with the best lighting. "Golden Hour" happens just after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun is low in the sky and it produces a soft, diffused light which leads us to believe is much more flattering than the harsh midday sun.
However, when shooting during the “Golden Hour”, photographers are limited on the amount of time they have before that beautiful soft light is gone and the light around them has either become too bright or too dark. This is one of the reasons why your portrait session typically only last up to anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the length of your session.
As a documentary photographer, my job is to embrace the light—no matter what kind—and use it to enhance your family’s story. I only work with natural and ambient light, never using flash, even in the darkest rooms.
With family documentary photography your sessions are much longer as you need more time to authentically capture your story and for the photographer to learn more about your family to tell that story. Sessions can last anywhere between 3 to 12 hours, so you can bet you are going to run into all kinds of different light sources through out. Those sources will be anything from the bright sun on a Saturday afternoon, the blue light from your electronic device, the yellow ambient light from your living room lamp to even the magical Golden Hour during your evening walk around the neighborhood. All these forms of light will be used to create stunning and memorable imagery of you and your family.
A common concern I hear is: “My house is too dark for good photos.” I get it—my own home lacks light, and the lamps cast an unappealing yellow tint. But even in those conditions, beautiful moments can still be captured. For example, one of my favorite photos of my daughter was taken in a nearly pitch-black room, with only a glowworm lighting up her face. The result? A deeply emotional and personal image, more meaningful than any perfectly-lit “Golden Hour” shot.
Ultimately, the type of light is just part of the story. Some of my most cherished family photos were taken in broad daylight, with no fancy lighting at all, but they carry the weight of the moment.
Don’t let imperfect lighting—or even harsh midday sun—keep you from preserving your family’s memories. Whether it’s sunny, dark, or somewhere in between, the light in your life is always beautiful.
Let’s capture it together. Contact me for a free consultation to plan your family’s story.
Kimberly Pascale is a documentary-style family photographer located in Sonoma County, CA. If you'd like to see more of her work, head over to her Facebook page or follow her on Instagram. If you are looking for a family photographer in the Sonoma & Marin County areas to document your family, please contact her for more information.
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