Over the last several years, I’ve transitioned most of my sessions to sunrise. While I still offer a few evening spots here and there for clients who truly can’t swing weekday mornings, most of my sessions now happen bright and early. Here’s why I often choose sunrise over sunset, and why it might be a great fit for you too!

The Personal and Professional Perks

Personal Perk: No evening rush or moments missed at home

As a mom, my evenings are precious. They’re filled with family dinners, sports practices or games, homework chats, and sometimes just a few quiet minutes of togetherness before bedtime. Choosing sunrise sessions means I don’t have to miss those moments by rushing out of the house in the evenings.

Personal Perk: Working during school hours

I love being able to drop my kids off at school, head straight to a session, and then come back home to my office to edit while the inspiration is still fresh. It’s a peaceful and productive rhythm for my creativity that allows me to stay on top of my editing, without anything piling up. It also eliminates the need to coordinate childcare if my husband isn’t home that evening! (And we all know that’s a big win!)

Client/Photography Perk: The light is just different. (In the best way!)

There’s something magical about the way the morning light spills across a location. As someone who loves working with a lot of light, I’d always choose a session that starts in the shadows and grows brighter over one that fades into darkness. Watching the world wake up around us while capturing a family’s story is something special! (Want to deep dive into how I shoot and edit? Or how I determine what time to start each session? Check out the Master the Light and Airy Style course here)

Client/Photography Perk:  A quieter, more peaceful experience  

Morning sessions come with the huge perk of having locations practically to yourself, which makes such a difference in the overall experience. When there aren’t crowds or other photographers around, clients feel more relaxed and present, especially little ones who can easily get distracted by extra noise or activity. It also allows me to use the best light and most scenic areas without having to wait or work around others being in the background - and f you're capturing video too, you know how valuable this quiet, uninterrupted setting is! (Not offering video with your sessions yet? They are truly a game changer and you can learn exactly how to do it here).

Client/Photographer Perk: Happier kiddos

Another major perk of sunrise sessions is how much happier and more cooperative little ones tend to be in the morning. They're well-rested, freshly fed, and haven’t yet hit that late-day wall of tiredness or overstimulation. Evening sessions can be tough for young kids who are already winding down from a long day (this is especially true the times of year when the sun sets so late!), but morning light brings not only a beautiful glow, it often brings out their best moods too, which makes for a much smoother, more joyful session for everyone!

Getting Clients to Say Yes to Weekday Mornings

I choose to schedule sessions only on weekdays so I can keep my weekends reserved for my family. Now that my kids are older, weekends hold more significance for us. When they were little, weekends felt just like any other day, so I didn’t mind working them. (That’s one of the beautiful things about building a business that adapts to the season of life you’re in!)  I’m sure that leaves you wondering, “How do families make sunrise sessions work on weekdays with school and jobs?” There are definitely a few key things that make it possible:

1. Your target client

My target clients are families with young children: most have babies, toddlers, or preschoolers who aren’t in elementary school yet. For those who do have school-aged kids, they simply arrive a bit late to school that day. (When you're offering a meaningful experience and beautiful, lasting images, one late school arrival feels totally worth it!) Before 2020, sunrise sessions were a harder sell since many parents had strict office hours, but now, with so many families working from home or having flexible schedules, it’s much easier to make weekday mornings work.

2. Communicate the value

If you want to book more sunrise sessions but feel like your clients won’t go for it, the key is in how you communicate the value. Most people don’t naturally think “photo session” when they hear “sunrise,” so it’s your job to help them understand why it’s worth it. Talk about the soft, dreamy light, the peaceful, crowd-free locations, and how much more cheerful and cooperative little ones tend to be first thing in the morning. Share how it allows families to go about their day afterward without disrupting dinner or bedtime routines. When you consistently share these perks in a confident, matter-of-fact way, clients begin to see sunrise sessions not as a sacrifice, but as a smart, beautiful choice.

3. Normalize with consistency

The more you talk about and share sunrise sessions, the more your clients will start to see them as just another option. Whether it’s through Instagram posts, stories, or email newsletters, consistently highlighting the benefits helps normalize the idea. When you make sunrise sessions a regular part of your conversation, clients will begin to feel comfortable with the concept and more likely to book them themselves.

Of course, there are some families for whom a weekday sunrise session just isn’t realistic—and that’s completely okay! I understand that every family has a unique schedule, and flexibility is important. That’s why I still offer a limited number of weekday evening sessions for those who truly need them.

What time should I start? What about the weather? What type of locations should I seek out? Come take a deep dive into all of this and so much more!

If you’re looking to dive deeper into shooting and editing, my Master the Light and Airy Style course covers everything (literally everything!). And for those of you who are already part of the Master the Art of Newborn Sessions course, be sure to check out the jammed-packed module for outdoor newborn sessions. It's packed with tips and demos specifically for sunrise shoots! We go through all the logistics like location choices, weather considerations, and more to make sure you're fully prepared. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the demo in there where I shot a session in THE  worst-case scenario weather. It’s a great example of how to still make it work!