Why the timing of sessions are so important.
The golden hour, also known as the magic hour, refers to the period about an hour before sunset when the sun is low in the sky. During this time, the sunlight is softer and warmer, creating a beautiful, golden glow that can help photos look magical. I've realized after photographing for so many years, in order to get the best images for my clients, I need the best light possible for the day. Which is why I always schedule my outdoor sessions at this time. I know the timing is often not idea for babies and toddlers nap schedules. But I know, for a fact, that even with a tired kid, we can get amazing images with prompting and posing. My sessions are typically only 45 minutes long and ideally we just need a few magical moments in that time to make the imagery work.
I will always set the time for my outdoor session. If you feel the timing is 100% not going to work for your family, consider an indoor photo session in your home where the late morning and early afternoon light is best.