Sunrise or sunset photography shoot, which one is better?

The most frequently asked question when enquiries come through my email inbox. And for a good reason! Not only are both of them absolutely magical during golden hour BUT during summer they are probably also the most tricky when it comes to timing.

If you are not an early riser you probably quite quickly opt for a sunset session. However, if you have kids in tow a 6pm start is not always ideal considering well, all things kid life chores that happens at night!

So let me highlight my reasons for choosing either of these and who knows, maybe it will be helpful before making your decision. Enjoy!

SUNRISE

Pro’s

• Once kids are up, they are up. Chuck some breakfast in to them, get them dressed and they’ll wake up as the session goes on.

• Apart from surfers and sunrise enthusiasts, there will not be many others on the beach at this time. If you have never been in front of a camera or not a fan of it, this quiet time is great for you!

• The light.. Oh my god, it is incredible. Especially here on the East coast of Australia where you feel like you can touch the sun as it rises over the water and hitting the beach. I have never seen anything so magical at 5.45am in the morning!

• Make a day out of it! Whether you are a Northern Beaches local or travelling to your session, there is so much to do once we finish. Grab a coffee and some brekkie at a local cafe (The Pottery Cafe in Collaroy, nothing compares to their coffee) and throw some towels on the beach and enjoy the weather.

  To finish off your day there are not only amazing places to eat but the cocktail list is pretty insane too! Try out Corretto in Dee Why, they are legends!

Con’s

• There’s only one - it’s an early start :)

SUNSET

Sunset maternity photoshoot on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

• This time of the day is when things start to get a bit quieter when it comes to kids. If you are hoping to capture more intimate, snuggly moments then sunset is fantastic.

• There is a vibe about sunset sessions that can’t be explained. The sun is coming down, the streets are filling up with people and families are soaking up the last bit of sun before heading home.

• Here on the Northern Beaches there are some incredible tiny secret hideout beaches which get that last bit of sun and they allow for the most insane shots!

• If you like your sleep-ins or start work early, sunsets are a great option especially in summer when we do not start until around 6pm!

Con’s

• If kiddies have had a huge day on the beach already or sport activities etc, they can tend to get over it quite quickly. However, if you are flexible here and let kids be kids, this will not be a problem.

Overall, both times of the day are super special and whichever one you choose will be perfect because we will make it so!

I hope this was helpful and made making a decision easier :)

You can see my pricing and packages on my website and of course, any questions head over to my email and shoot away!

x Michaela