A Dreamy Golden Hour Family Photoshoot – Ham Hill, Somerset
As summer finally approaches in the UK and long dusky evenings replace dank dark nights I know it’s time to begin dusting off my Golden Hour spiel – my gentle but very persuasive list of reasons why around 6-7pm is THE best time for a photoshoot. Here, I’m not only going to share my main reasons, but also some examples of how I style and prompt my families to achieve those dreamy summertime images they love.
Why is Golden Hour so important?
I get this question a lot. For those families that haven’t had an outdoor photoshoot before or have only worked with a studio photographer there’s generally a polite pause and then a response to the effect of ‘Ummm but that’s my children’s bedtime… could we do it any earlier?’
I get it. I really do. Sometimes the routine is sacrosanct and no one likes dealing with a cranky, overtired toddler. But, when I tell you that just a few hours could mean the difference between photos you like and photos you cannot stop looking at because they’re just the most beautiful heart wrenchingly gorgeous pictures of your family ever… it’s really a no brainer.
And here’s why,
- Golden Hour light (the hour before sunset when the sun is low in the sky) is glowy, soft and warm. It reduces the appearance of hard shadows meaning less wrinkles, dark circles, eye bags etc – something the sleep deprived parents in the audience know all about.
- The low sun also catches the fine details, leaves, tall grass, tiny curls and wisps of hair giving a delicate warm glow to images. This painterly effect adds romance and warmth through an image that no presets or filters can possibly achieve.
- Diffused sunlight is a lot less strong meaning that it can be used to backlight the subject and can also be shown in the frame. This means no having to hide in the shade, there’s room to play, explore and move around.
How is styling key to getting beautiful final images?
Here in Somerset we’re blessed with lovely leafy green foliage and the golden hour light can really throw that into full effect. However, when trying to choose what to wear to complement this, some families can get a little unstuck.
I always provide my families with a styling guide to help them with their wardrobe choices and for a golden hour session it’s neutrals and naturals all the way. For this Ham Hill Family Photoshoot I shared the mood-board and colour palette below featuring complementary colours so they could plan a cohesive look.
By choosing these natural tones, finding items that follow a palette and avoiding big bold prints and patterns, the family’s faces really stand out and nothing distracts the eye.
What kind of activities and games do you play during a family photoshoot?
This dreamy photoshoot is one of my recent favourites because, as you can see from the images, the little girl had a blast. Something that makes my job as a photographer a lot easier and always results in better images. But this was not just luck or a happy coincidence, although Lillie, I’m sure, is a generally happy child. No, Lillie is smiling and laughing in all the images we took because she’s having fun!
Children can be the hardest critics, so telling dodgy jokes or asking them to say cheese can often get the opposite of a smile. So, the best way to achieve genuine happy grins is to get children doing something that makes them genuinely happy. Playing!
Whether it’s kiss chase, swinging in the blanket, dizzy dinosaurs or Chinese whispers, I like to keep children occupied during their session. Can they pick a flower and give it to Mummy? Can they run to Daddy and tickle him? Can they make a family sandwich? (This is where the parents kiss both sides of the children’s cheeks). I always find this puts parents at ease too, because not a moment is spent wondering, ‘Okay, what shall we do next?’ or ‘Uh oh they’re getting bored of this’. Everyone can relax and enjoy spending some quality time together.
Why is Ham Hill so great for Golden Hour family photos in Somerset?
The final piece in the puzzle for why this family photoshoot ticks all the boxes is its location. Ham Hill, a beautiful country park spanning over 400 acres, is one of South Somerset’s most popular outdoor destinations for families, dog-walkers and tourists. Despite its popularity, its size means there are always lots of places to shoot away from other park users and this particular spot is one of my favourites.
The long grass, well established trees and direction of light make it perfect for these golden hour family sessions in the spring and summer. There are currently wild flowers blooming in this open area, which attracts insects like ladybirds, butterflies and bumble bees for the children to observe.
Ham Hill also offers close proximity to plenty of off-road parking and can be easily accessed by car or public transport.
Book your Golden Hour photo session
Why not make the most of your summertime and book a Golden Hour family photo session? Creating precious memories is so important, and you’ll receive stunning family images to treasure.
Book your summertime photo session here.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions – I’m happy to help.
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