What is golden hour and why is that the best time to take photos? Golden hour is the hour right before sunset. The light during this time is soft, warm, and glowy — perfect for photos. It helps avoid harsh shadows, squinting, and bright sunlight, giving your images that dreamy look you see throughout my work. If you have little ones, it’s important to plan ahead since golden hour changes throughout the year. In the summer, sessions can start pretty late — usually between 8:3