There’s something magical that happens in late summer as we head into Fall. It's not just the crisp air or the changing leaves, but the way the light shifts. As the sun starts setting earlier and the days grow shorter, golden hour comes back in full force. Golden hour is that dreamy golden light that makes for a beautiful, almost painterly setting. And at Ezell Images, we obsess over it.
If you’ve ever wondered why your family or branding photos glow a little extra this time of year, here’s why fall golden hour might just be our favorite light of the entire season.
As an award-winning Reno Photographer, we'd love to share some of our insight as to why golden hour makes the most beautiful portraits.
Golden hour refers to the short window of time shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky. The light is softer, warmer, and more flattering than the midday sun. Harsh shadows disappear, skin tones look radiant, and everything feels wrapped in a golden glow.
In summer, golden hour often starts late - too late for young kids or clients with busy evening schedules. But in fall, the timing is perfect. Most of our golden hour photo sessions in Reno start between 4:30 and 6:30 PM, making it ideal for family portraits, senior photos, and even quick branding shoots before dinner.
Fall golden hour has its own magic. Here’s why we as photographers are obsessed with it:
Warm tones everywhere
The soft, golden light blends beautifully with amber leaves, tall grasses, and earthy outfits. It creates a rich and cinematic look that’s especially stunning in outdoor family portraits and senior sessions.
Natural light filters
The lower sun angle means the light often filters through trees, tall grasses, or haze, giving us that dreamy backlight effect. It’s perfect for creating glowing hair highlights and a bit of artistic lens flare.
Mood and emotion
There’s something about fall that brings out nostalgia. Whether we’re capturing a cozy family session, an emotional senior milestone, or a small business owner stepping into a rebrand, golden hour enhances the feeling in every frame.
We see golden hour elevate all kinds of sessions, but below are a few we especially love during this season.
Family photo sessions
Fall is hands-down one of the most popular and meaningful times of year for family photo sessions—and for good reason. The weather is cool and comfortable, the scenery is bursting with color, and golden hour adds a soft, warm glow that makes every moment feel a little more magical.
As Reno family photographers, we love how fall sessions invite real connection. Whether you’re snuggling up in sweaters, playing in the leaves, or chasing light through a golden field, the season naturally brings out a sense of togetherness. It’s less about stiff poses and more about capturing the real stuff - filled with laughter, movement, and hugs.
The golden hour light during fall adds a rich, timeless feel to your images. It softens skin tones, brings out warm colors in your outfits and surroundings, and creates a beautiful sense of depth. It’s the kind of light that transforms a simple moment into a memory you’ll want to frame and hold onto forever.
Early fall is also the perfect time to get ahead of the holiday rush. If you’re planning to send cards or create photo gifts for family, a golden hour session in September or October gives you plenty of time to order and enjoy your images before the season gets hectic.
View our family portfolio for more ideas and inspiration or contact us to look at dates and start planning.
Senior portraits
Golden hour is a total game-changer for senior portraits. That soft, warm light adds instant depth, emotion, and personality to each image, helping your senior session feel more like a magazine editorial than a yearbook requirement. Whether you’re going for something dramatic and artistic or laid-back and fun, the lighting at this time of day brings out your best features and makes every shot feel intentional and elevated.
In Reno, we’re lucky to have a variety of natural backdrops that come alive in fall. As senior photographers, we work closely with you to style the session so it reflects your unique personality and interests—whether that means casual outfits, cap and gown, sports gear, or something totally outside the box.
This is such a meaningful time in life, and your senior portraits should capture who you are right now—confident, full of potential, and ready for what’s next. Golden hour helps us do just that, in the most beautiful way.
Check out our senior portfolio for more ideas and inspiration.
Branding photography
If you’re a business owner in Reno looking to refresh your branding images, fall golden hour offers the perfect natural light for photos that feel polished yet approachable. The warm, flattering tones make your images feel confident, inviting, and true to your brand.
As Reno branding photographers, we help you choose the right location, wardrobe, and posing to reflect your personality and business. Whether you're updating your website, launching something new, or creating content for social media, golden hour brings a professional yet relaxed feel that resonates with your audience.
It’s one of the simplest ways to elevate your brand—and look great doing it.
Pet photography
Getting outside with your fur babies is one of the best ways to capture the real connection you share—and golden hour makes it even more magical. That warm, glowing light highlights their fur, brings out their eyes, and creates a soft, natural setting that feels straight out of a storybook.
Whether you're running through tall grass, snuggling on a blanket, or capturing those goofy expressions you love most, golden hour gives your pet photos a timeless, heartfelt quality. And if you’re in the Reno area, we know the best local spots for safe, pet-friendly sessions that allow your animals to feel relaxed and free to be themselves.
These sessions are more than just cute photos - they’re about preserving the joy, loyalty, and love that pets bring into our lives every single day.
Couples and engagement sessions
The romance practically builds itself when you have glowing fall light, vibrant foliage, and just the right amount of crispness in the air. Golden hour in the fall sets the perfect scene for couples and engagement sessions with the soft, golden glow wrapping around the two of you like a storybook moment.
The gentle light flatters every skin tone and adds an emotional, almost cinematic quality to each image. It’s perfect for capturing real connection—those quiet glances, spontaneous laughs, and the way you fit together when you think no one’s watching.
As Reno photographers, we help you choose a location that complements your vibe, whether that’s mountain views, tree-lined trails, or an urban setting with fall color peeking through. These sessions aren’t just about pretty photos; they’re about creating a space where you can relax, be yourselves, and let the connection shine.
If you’ve been dreaming of soft, golden light in your family or branding photos, now is the time to schedule. Golden hour doesn’t last forever. As we move into November, the days get shorter and the light shifts quickly.
Fall is one of the busiest times for photographers in Reno, and our calendar fills fast.
Whether you're planning a family session, need senior portraits, or want branding photos that feel warm and natural, golden hour will give you the look you’ve been craving.
Let’s capture the magic while it lasts.
📅 Contact us today to book your fall session and get on our golden hour calendar.
