Tips for Staying on Time for Your Session


If I’ve learned anything from photographing dozens of beautiful sessions, it’s that Mother Nature runs on her own schedule. The sunset doesn’t pause, the waves don’t wait, and the light — that magical, glowing light we all love, changes faster than most people realize.


Whether it’s waiting for the soon-to-be spouse to get ready (totally understandable), sitting in traffic, or running behind after a busy day, arriving late can impact your photos more than you might think. Many of those dreamy golden tones you see online actually come from the hour leading up to sunset, known as blue hour, my personal favorite time to shoot. But when the sun dips below the horizon, that light disappears quickly, and the look of your photos changes entirely.


I’ll always do my best to work with whatever light we have, and I’ll stick around when possible if you’re running a few minutes late. But to help you make the most of your session and capture those glowing, cinematic moments you’ve envisioned, here are a few tips and tricks to help you stay on track:


Tips for Staying on Time



  • Plan to arrive early – aim to be 10–15 minutes early. Think of this as “buffer time” for parking, last-minute touch-ups, or just taking a deep breath before we start.
  • Account for traffic – especially if you’re driving to a beach or downtown area. Always check your route earlier in the day.
  • Get ready ahead of time – if one partner tends to take a little longer (it happens!), start getting ready earlier than you think you need to.
  • Pack the night before – for families, especially those with young kids, pack outfits, snacks, wipes, and any props or backup clothes in advance.
  • Dress little ones on location – sometimes it’s easier to get kids ready once you arrive to avoid spills, wrinkles, or tantrums in the car.
  • If you have that one family member who’s always late… consider telling them the session starts earlier than it actually does. Trust me, it works!
  • Book earlier if needed – if you know timing will be tight, choose an earlier slot to take the stress off.
  • Communicate early – if you’re running late, please text or call! I’ll always adjust as best I can, but it helps me plan for the light.


The truth is, the sun will set whether we’re ready or not — but with a little planning, you’ll be there in time to soak in every last bit of that glow.