What I learned from my first shooting experience.

Golden hour photography is my favorite.    Seeing the sun set and turn the sky into a kaleidoscope of colors is what inspired me to do my first shoot on the beaches of Jacksonville.    I had the perfect vision in my head and on my Pinterest.    I wanted my first shoot to be a family session in Jacksonville.    When my friend asked what her girls should wear, I instructed her to dress them in the colors of the sand and sky, at sunset.    I had a vision in my mind and I was going to execute.    Everything was going to look perfect.    Or so I thought.

What went really well

The light on this evening was everything I could have asked for; warm, golden, absolutely perfect.    I also found it much easier to compose interesting shots than I expected.     The beach water was serene and the light raked across the wet sand creating depth in almost every photo. My confidence grew quickly once I started seeing results on the back of the camera.



What I didn't expect

The speed of the light when the sun sets. I knew golden hour was short, but being a brand new photographer, I genuinely didn't realize just how fast the light would disappear. In the span of about 15 minutes, the light went from gorgeous and warm to dark and shadowy.    I found myself having to mess with my camera settings a bit to make up for the lost light.    Since I am still learning my Sony A7rIII, it was a new challenge.  

What I loved the most

Working with the girls!    I didn't expect to be able to keep their attention so easily.    I was nervous that I'd forget all of the poses I had in mind.    However, once I started, it rolled out so easily.    It probably also helped that these sisters love each other and got along so well.  

Would I do it again?

Absolutely.  I've booked multiple beach sessions since.     Golden hour beach photography is one that is going to take a while to master.    We were blessed with a slight breeze, no bugs, perfect weather temperatures.    I know that is not always going to be the case.    Sure, the photos weren't completely perfect, but so many of them turned out so well that I was editing well past my bedtime.