Golden Hour Calculator by Loerop Photography
Drag across the timeline, or use the arrow keys, to see the light at any minute of the day. Slide your finger across the timeline to see the light at any minute of the day.
The Day's Light
The Best Time for Photos
Where the Sun Will Be
Shooting Outside Golden Hour
Golden Hour Through the Year
Choosing a date? In Charlotte, sunset moves by about three and a half hours across the year. Tap any day to see it above.
Three Kinds of Outdoor Light
The sun's height above the horizon decides almost everything about how a photograph feels. These are the three you will hear photographers talk about most.
- 01
Golden Hour
Sun from 6° above to 4° below the horizon
Just after sunrise and just before sunset, sunlight passes through more of the atmosphere and arrives warm, soft, and from the side. Skin glows, shadows soften, and backlight turns hair to gold. In the Charlotte area it lasts about 50 minutes to an hour, every day of the year.
- 02
Blue Hour
Sun from 4° to 6° below the horizon
Once the color leaves the sky, everything takes on a cool, even blue. There are no shadows at all, and string lights and city skylines start to shine. Despite the name, it is short: about 10 to 12 minutes around Charlotte.
- 03
Midday Sun
Sun more than 45° above the horizon
High sun lights from overhead and drops shadows under brows and noses. It is not a lost cause. Open shade, backlight, and a little fill make it work, and the season matters: the Charlotte sun reaches 78° in June but only about 32° in December.
Golden Hour Questions
What is golden hour?
Golden hour is the time shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, between about 6 degrees above the horizon and 4 degrees below it. The light is warm, soft, and directional, which is why photographers and couples plan portraits around it.
What time is golden hour in Charlotte, NC?
It depends on the date. In mid June, evening golden hour in Charlotte begins around 8:00 PM, with sunset near 8:40 PM. In mid December it begins around 4:30 PM, with sunset near 5:10 PM. Enter your date in the calculator above for exact times.
How long does golden hour last?
Around Charlotte, evening golden hour lasts about 50 minutes to an hour, slightly longer in summer and winter than in spring and fall. Closer to the poles it lasts much longer, and near the equator it is shorter.
Should we plan our wedding day around golden hour?
You do not need to build the whole day around it. Fifteen to twenty minutes of portraits near sunset is plenty, and on wedding days I watch the light and come find you when it is ready. What helps most is a ceremony time that leaves room for family photos before golden hour begins.
When is the best time of day for engagement or couple photos?
The hour before sunset is the most reliable choice. Start about an hour before sunset and you will move from warm, low sun into the glow of the sunset itself. The hour after sunrise offers the same light with quieter locations.
What happens to golden hour on a cloudy day?
Thick clouds mute the warm color, but they also turn the whole sky into soft, flattering light, so portraits look good at any hour. If the clouds break near the horizon at sunset, the sky can light up in color, so it is still worth being outside at the end of the day.
How accurate is this calculator?
Within about a minute. It uses standard astronomical formulas and runs entirely in your browser. Times assume a flat, open horizon, so trees, buildings, and hills will bring the sun down a little earlier where you are standing.
Let Me Plan the Light for You
A Couple's Portrait Session is $300 for an hour on location, and I'll help you choose a start time that lands in the best light. The Wedding Package is $1,700 for your whole wedding day, so golden hour is always covered. Send me your date, and I'll let you know if it's open.