When it comes to choosing to take either sunrise engagement photos or sunset engagement photos, the first thing I want to say is, remember, there’s no right or wrong choice. The decision really all comes down to your personal preferences, as both times of day are absolutely stunning to take photos!
As a Pennsylvania elopement photographer, I personally love both of these times of day equally. No matter which one you choose, I know your engagement photos will turn out beautifully!
Let’s dive into more about choosing to have either a sunrise or sunset engagement session.
Sunset vs Sunrise Engagement Photos
Let’s break down the pros and cons of choosing to plan an engagement session at sunrise or sunset:
A sunrise engagement session is perfect for you if:
You want to take your engagement photos at a more popular spot
If there’s a spot that you and your partner love that gets wayyy more crowded later in the day, I’d encourage you to opt for a sunrise session! I’ll let you in on a little secret – usually popular spots are quieter in the mornings, so you and your partner will have more privacy and won’t have to worry about waiting around for people to leave.
Stunning morning lighting
If you choose to take sunrise engagement photos, you’ll have gorgeous lighting, including blue hour, which happens just before sunrise and creates stunning cool tones such as blues, purples, and pinks in your images.
Of course, you’ll also have golden hour lighting, which takes place just after the sun rises above the horizon, and daylight light. Also, when it comes to lighting, maybe the location you’ve chosen has much better lighting in the morning – this is definitely something worth thinking about!
Better weather
Okay, first I can’t promise that you’re going to have perfect weather if you choose to take your engagement photos at sunrise, but… if you are choosing a location for your engagement photos where it typically rains a lot, there is a higher chance that it will rain in the afternoon vs the morning.
You want to take your engagement photos during a very hot month
If you are planning to take your engagement photos during the summer and a very warm month, especially in the hotter months like July and August in Pennsylvania, a sunrise session is a much better option.
The weather will be much more bearable and cooler. Plus, you won’t have to worry about sweating or looking flushed in your photos.
What are the cons of a sunrise engagement session?
A sunrise session might not be right for you if:
You don’t want to get up early
There’s no way around this—for the best lighting, you’ll need to get up much earlier so you have enough time to prepare and get to your location. If you are truly not a morning person, it’s much better to consider choosing a sunset session instead!
You don’t want to worry about struggling to find a hair and makeup artist
If you know that you want your hair and makeup done for your session, it could be a bit more difficult to find someone who will be up for scheduling an early session. However, this isn’t impossible – just potentially a small challenge you’ll encounter!
A sunset engagement session is perfect for you if:
You know you don’t want to get up early
For a sunset engagement session, you’ll have all day to prepare, and you definitely don’t have to worry about running on limited sleep or low energy! It will also be easy for you to book a hair and makeup artist if that’s something you know that you want to do!
You love golden hour and dramatic sunsets
If you envision your session with a dramatic backdrop and warm, golden light, a sunset session sounds like the ideal choice! During a sunset session, you also usually have more colors to work with, such as pinks, oranges, yellows, etc., depending on the hues created by the setting sun.
On the other hand, usually sunrises have a softer blue sky and cooler tones and colors.
You have a special connection to the sunset
If sunsets hold a special place in your relationship, such as when you and your partner always plan sunset picnic dates or when your partner proposes at sunset, a sunset engagement session is a meaningful way to capture this!
What are the cons of a sunrise engagement session?
Let’s cover the cons of a sunrise engagement session:
It’s a busy time of the day
Lots of people are out and about at sunset, and they all want to catch the last golden rays of the day. Your favorite place might be full of people, and it might be very hard to take photos without anyone else lingering in the background.
If there are people in the background of your photos, it can be much harder for your photographer to edit them out. Also, it could be more difficult to find parking, too, if you’re picking a very popular location.
It might be harder to find a photographer
The truth is, a sunset session is a very sought-after service that photographers offer. With that being said, to avoid this, just make sure that you plan and book in advance the photographer you want to work with, so you don’t have to stress about not being able to work with your dream photographer.
The weather can affect your session
Afternoon thunderstorms, higher temperatures, and wind can all potentially impact your sunset engagement session!
Best Spots for a Sunrise or Sunset Engagement Photos in Central Pennsylvania
As a Pennsylvania elopement photographer, I couldn’t not mention some amazing locations you could choose from for either your sunrise or sunset engagement session! Here’s a round-up of my favorite spots in Central Pennsylvania:
- Cordorus State Park
- Pennsylvania State Capital
- White Cliffs of Conoy
- Susquehannock State Park
- Hawk Mountain
- Pulpit Rock
- Fort Hunter Mansion & Park
- Wildflower Lookout
Which One Will You Choose – Sunrise or Sunset Engagement Photos?
I hope you found this guide helpful for choosing either sunrise or sunset engagement photos!
Sunrise and sunset sessions both offer you something truly special – just keep in mind the time you choose will significantly change how your photos turn out. If it’s possible, you can always look at previous sunrise and sunset sessions at the location you’re considering to help you decide which time of day you prefer more.
You can always ask the photographer you’re working with if they have previous client galleries from either sunset or sunrise sessions, too!
And…if you’re still looking for the perfect Pennsylvania photographer for your engagement session, I’m here to capture every moment of your day with a lot of heart. You can contact me here or learn more about my engagement photography services here.
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