Best Time for a Beach Photoshoot: A Lighting & Timing Guide

For those willing to wake up early, sunrise offers the softest, most delicate light of the day.

• The Look: As the sun breaks the horizon, the sky is often painted in soft pastels—pinks, lilacs, and blues. The light is gentle and flattering, wrapping around you without creating harsh shadows.
• The Vibe: Serene, peaceful, and intimate.

Pros:

• Privacy: This is the only time to guarantee an empty beach. You won’t have tourists in swimsuits in your background.
• Temperature: It is the coolest part of the day, meaning your makeup stays fresh and you won't be sweating.

Cons:
The Alarm Clock: You must be hair-and-makeup ready before the sun comes up. Depending on the time of year, this can mean an extremely early wake-up call.

Plus, be honest with yourself: how hard will you party a night before? A sunrise photoshoot requires a dedication to skip on drinking margaritas till late, and in a perfect scenario—be in bed before midnight.

Personally, I usually try to talk my clients out of sunrise photo sessions because of high bounce rate—so many cancel at the morning of the shoot (and honestly, this is disrespectful to your photographer, who most likely altered entire previous evening and woke up a few hours before sunrise just for you). The only exception—Cabo beach family photo sessions with toddlers and small kids cause those will make sure that their parents are up before the sun rises.

If you want those postcard-perfect shots of blindingly white sand and electric blue water, you need the sun high in the sky.

• The Look: Bright, punchy, and high-contrast. The sun illuminates the water from above, revealing its true turquoise color.
• The Vibe: Energetic, vibrant, and "vacation mode."

Pros:

• True Blue: This is the only time the ocean looks that iconic tropical blue. At sunrise or sunset, the water often looks darker or reflects the sky.

Cons:

• Harsh Light: Overhead sun creates "raccoon eyes" (dark shadows in eye sockets) and highlights skin texture.
• Heat & Crowds: It will be hot, most likely you will be squinting (if able to open your eyes at all), and the beach will be at its most crowded. As well, for tropical destinations—don't forget the heat! You will sweat in no time, meaning leaking make-up and bids of sweat all over your skin which are quite difficult and time-consuming to retouch.

Overall, this time of the day is not advisable for a beach and outdoor photoshoots in general.

This is the hour right before the sun dips below the horizon. It is the most requested time for professional photography for a reason.

• The Look: The light turns warm, gold, and amber. It is incredibly flattering, smoothing out skin tones and making everyone look like they are glowing.
• The Vibe: Romantic, cinematic, and warm.

Pros:

• Flattery: No squinting, no harsh shadows, and a universally flattering aesthetic.

Cons:

• The Rush: The window is short. If you are late, you miss the light entirely.
• The Crowd: Everyone wants to see the sunset. Popular beaches will be packed, and your photographer may have to work harder to frame out bystanders. So, choosing the right location becomes very important here. Luckily, photographers often have there secret spots and most probably will be able to advise you a wonderful location for your sunset beach photo session.

For the bold and adventurous, shooting after dark using professional flash opens up a completely different creative world.

• The Look: High-contrast, sharp, and glossy. The background (ocean/sky) goes pitch black or deep navy, while the subject is popped with bright, directed light.
• The Vibe: High-fashion, eccentric, and party-ready. Think "magazine editorial" rather than "romantic walk."

Pros:

• Unique Backgrounds: You can capture the ocean shimmering under the moon or a sky full of stars (long exposure).
• Total Control: The photographer creates the light, so you aren't at the mercy of clouds or sunset times.

Cons:

• Style Specific: It is not the traditional "beach look." It requires a specific style of posing and attitude to pull off.

Sometimes, the sun doesn't show up. Don't panic—cloudy days have their own benefits.

• The Look: Clouds act like a giant diffuser, creating soft, even light everywhere.

Pros:

• Flexibility: You can shoot at any time of day without harsh shadows or squinting.

Cons:

• The "Summer" Factor: While the images will be beautiful and dreamy, it is nearly impossible to get that bright, vibrant "summer vacation" look. The water will likely appear gray or silver rather than blue, and you lose the "sparkle" of the sun.

Even if you check your local weather app for sunset time, the specific geography and landscape of your chosen spot can drastically change when the golden light actually arrives and leaves.

• Physical Obstacles Shorten the Hour: If your beach is backed by tall mountains, dense forests, or high sand dunes, the sun will effectively "set" for the camera much earlier than the official time. This causes the light to dim quickly and can cast long, dark shadows across the sand, which can eat up the most beautiful light.

• Coastline Direction Determines Color: The cardinal direction your beach faces dictates whether you get a fiery sunset or a pastel sunrise over the water:

1. West-Facing Beaches: These beaches generally offer the most dramatic, intensely colored sunsets because the sun sinks directly into the open ocean, providing an unobstructed, fiery spectacle.
2. East-Facing Beaches: Here, the sun rises over the water, which is perfect for serene, pastel sunrises. The sunset happens over the land, often behind houses or hills, making the ocean sunset view rarer and less dramatic.

While light is crucial, the tide is the invisible dealbreaker for some locations.

• High Tide: Can swallow the beach entirely, leaving you with nowhere to stand but the hotel stairs.
• Low Tide: Can reveal rocky, muddy ocean floors that aren't photogenic.

The Verdict: Trust your photographer. They know how the light interacts with the specific geography of your beach and the local tide tables to pick the perfect start time for you.