Sunrise or Sunset for Beach Photos?
This is probably the other question I get asked the most before a family beach session.
Should we do sunrise or sunset?
And the answer is…
It depends.
I know that’s not very helpful at first. 😂
But both can be absolutely beautiful, and the best choice usually has less to do with which one photographs “better” and much more to do with your family. Especially your kids. So when someone asks me whether I recommend sunrise or sunset, there are a few things I’m thinking about.
First, a little Florida geography
We’re on Florida’s east coast, which means the sun rises over the ocean.
It does not set into the water here. That sometimes surprises people because they picture that classic photograph of the sun dropping right into the ocean at the end of the day. That’s a Gulf Coast sunset.
Here in Melbourne Beach, sunrise and sunset give us two very different looks. At sunrise, we can get beautiful color coming up over the water — pinks, peaches, golds and sometimes some really incredible skies.
At sunset, the sun is setting behind us toward the dunes and the mainland, which gives us soft, warm evening light while the ocean becomes a beautiful blue backdrop.
Neither one is better.
They’re just different.
And honestly, I’ve photographed some gorgeous sessions at both.
So how do I choose?
Usually, one of the first things I’m going to ask you is:
How old are your kids?
Because if you have little ones, that may answer the question for us pretty quickly.
Anyone who has had a toddler knows that late afternoon/early evening can be…interesting.
They’re tired.
They’re hungry.
They’ve had a whole day.
And suddenly we’re asking them to put on nice clothes and happily take pictures on a beach. Sometimes that goes beautifully. And sometimes they’ve had enough before we’ve even made it to the sand. 😂 If your child wakes up happy and ready to go in the morning, sunrise can actually be an amazing option. A rested, happy two-year-old at 7 a.m. is always going to photograph better than a two-year-old who is completely done with the day.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I sometimes recommend sunrise.
Why I love sunset sessions
Most of my beach sessions happen in the evening, and there are a lot of reasons sunset works really well.
For one thing, it’s just easier for most families. You don’t have to convince the entire family to be dressed, ready and at the beach before breakfast.If you have older kids or teenagers, that alone may settle the argument. 😂
Sunset also gives us that beautiful, warm Florida light that I love.
And because the session is later in the day, I have more time to watch what’s happening with the weather.If the wind starts picking up or storms are building, I have the day to keep an eye on it and communicate with you.That’s especially helpful here in Florida, where the forecast can change approximately 47 times before dinner.
But sunrise has some pretty big advantages too
Sunrise can be absolutely gorgeous on the beach.And one of my favorite things about it?
It’s quiet.
There are usually fewer people. The beach feels peaceful. In the summer, it’s cooler. And of course, you have the chance for that gorgeous color coming up over the Atlantic.
For families with young children who are already awake at the crack of dawn anyway, sunrise can actually be easier than trying to stretch them to an evening session.
If you’re already up at 6 a.m. because your three-year-old believes sleeping in until 6:15 is a special occasion, we might as well take advantage of it.
What about summer?
This is where sunrise becomes especially tempting. Florida summer evenings are beautiful.
They’re also hot.
Really hot.
And if we add tired kids, humidity and dress clothes to that equation, sometimes an early morning session starts looking pretty appealing.
Sunrise can give us a tiny bit of cooler temperatures and a much quieter beach.
The flip side?
It’s early. Very early sometimes. So if you have teenagers who are going to look at you like you’ve completely lost your mind when you mention a 6 a.m. alarm, sunset is probably still our friend.
What about winter?
Winter is a little different. Sunrise is later, which makes mornings easier, but it can actually be chilly on the beach. Sunset is also much earlier, which can work beautifully for families with young kids because we’re not pushing the session late into the evening.
This is why I don’t give every family the exact same answer. The time of year matters. Your children’s ages matter. Your family’s normal schedule matters.
And then there’s the weather
If you’ve read my post about wind at the beach, you already know that I’m paying attention to much more than whether the little weather app has a sun or a cloud on it.
I’m looking at wind direction.
Clouds.
Storms.
The ocean.
And all the little things I’ve learned after photographing on these beaches over and over again. With an evening session, I have most of the day to watch what’s happening. With sunrise, we’re making that decision the night before and seeing what Mother Nature gives us in the morning.
But that’s also part of beach photography. Sometimes the mornings that look questionable end up giving us the most incredible skies.
So which one photographs better?
Honestly?
Both.
I wouldn’t choose sunrise because I thought it would automatically give you better photographs.
And I wouldn’t choose sunset just because it’s the traditional “golden hour.”
I’m choosing based on what I think is going to give your family the best experience. If everyone is happy, comfortable and able to relax, we’re already halfway to beautiful photographs.
A quick sunrise vs. sunset cheat sheet
Sunrise may be perfect for you if:
- You have little kids who are happiest first thing in the morning.
- You’re visiting during the hot summer months.
- You love the idea of a quieter beach.
- You want the possibility of those beautiful sunrise colors over the ocean.
- Your family doesn’t mind an early alarm.
Sunset may be better if:
- Your family does not do mornings.
- You have older kids or teenagers.
- You want a more relaxed schedule for getting everyone ready.
- Your little ones can comfortably stay up through an evening session.
- You love warm, soft golden-hour light.
And if you’re still not sure?
That’s okay.
You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Tell me who’s coming, how old your kids are, where you’re staying and what time of year you’ll be here. I’ll tell you what I think will work best.That’s part of what you’re hiring me for.
The most important thing
There really isn’t a wrong choice.
I’ve had beautiful sunrise sessions.
I’ve had beautiful sunset sessions.
I’ve had sessions with clouds, wind, crazy skies and perfectly calm evenings.
What matters most is choosing a time when your family has the best chance of actually enjoying being together.
Because that’s what I want to photograph.
Not everyone perfectly posed and staring at me.
Your kids running through the sand.
Someone laughing.
Bare feet in the water.
The way your family looks right now, at this particular moment in your lives.
That’s the good stuff.
If you’re planning family photos in Melbourne Beach, Melbourne, Vero Beach or along Florida’s Space Coast, I’d love to help you figure out the perfect time for your session.
Once we’ve figured out when we’re shooting, the next question is usually what everyone should wear. I’ve got an answer for you here!
See how a family session works →
