Tips to Surviving Sessions After Bedtime
If you’ve spent any time on my blog or just about any other photographers, you know that we are obsessed with light. There's a good reason for it! That soft, golden glow is what takes photos from good to great. In the wrong lighting conditions, shadows are harsh, the sun is too direct and bright, and it causes more problems than it solves. Unfortunately, that golden light only happens in the hours right after sunrise and right before sunset.
It’s a common thing I hear all the time: photographers have clients approach them in the summertime, wanting to do sessions in the early afternoon but the sun is too bright. On the majority of days, without some great luck with the weather (and who can count on that in Maine?), the problem is we won’t be able to achieve the results that you want out of our work and give it that perfect glow. So what can be done? Well, the simple solution, if it works for your family, is this: keep your kids up late.
Most parents fear their kids will be a mess way past bedtime. They picture meltdowns and chaos and, while I can’t guarantee that won't be true, kids love to be outside past bedtime (that's fun, ma!!). As I have written before, parents are often worried about their kids’ behavior during sessions, but I am able to get good pictures, even on their grumpiest and most contrary days. Check out this blog post about “what to do if my kids don’t behave” to see how a kiddo’s personality can shine through even when they’re in a bad mood.
However, we don’t have to resign ourselves to having a grouchy session. There are things you can do the day of your session to help ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. Summer in Maine can mean sunsets as late as 8:30, meaning keeping kids up an hour or two past their bedtimes. Preparation is key to making this work.
Extra rest! This is probably not a surprising suggestion, but it really can help everyone be ready for a later session.
For kids that are currently napping, delay their nap so they’re fresher for the session. If they’re staying up an extra hour or two for the photoshoot, having them take their last nap an hour or two later will give them the energy to go a little later.
For kids that have recently dropped a nap, adding it back for this day is often the boost they need.
For kids (and grown ups!) who do not nap anymore, planning a quiet time where kids rest in their rooms, read books, or even watch a favorite movie or tv show can set you all up for success.
Make the transition easier! Kids usually need to eat around their normal time, even if they’re staying up late, and the whole dinner process can make the time between meals and photos feel too long. A solution for this is to make the transition easier. Bring a picnic to your photoshoot location. Wear your regular clothes and bring your session clothes (the last thing you need is a spill on the shirt you spent ages picking out for your little). Rather than fighting against the natural routine you have in your home, make the whole night special.
Prepare, prepare, prepare! We all know that most kids do better when they know what is going on, so explaining what is happening that day, what the schedule will be like, and what to expect out of their day is going to get your kids ready for a weird day.
Doing a session after bedtime can feel intimidating, but with a few adjustments, it can also be very successful. It can be worth it to get those gorgeous summer sunset sessions, especially if you are celebrating a milestone or birthday session in the summer. If you want to give it a try, reach out!
If it really feels like too much to do a session after bedtime, please know that in-home sessions can be done during daytime or a lot of creative locations can be done mid-day or earlier in the day as well (ice cream session?!) Also keep in mind that there are times of the year where sunset is earlier (winter, spring or fall!) and we can get golden hour in before bedtime even starts!
