While daytime, golden hour, and sunset photography is often more playful, organic, and candid, night photography requires us to hold more still while we capture an image. Photography after the sun goes down is truly special because it allows us to become intentional, slow down, and really soak in the beauty and the connection. The world gets quiet and the excitement gives way to tender togetherness.
LOVE IN THE DARK
Not into the crowds at popular locations? The likelihood of having a place all to yourself at night is very high. Most people take off after sunset, but there is SO much beauty to be had "after hours". Stick around to experience the magic of the stars!
WHY SHOULD WE CONSIDER NIGHT PHOTOS?
You’ll come away with an unforgettable experience of spending the night creating magic with your partner in a gorgeous landscape. This is an incredible, romantic experience that just happens to end with magnificent photos you’ll hang on your walls and rave about forever.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT STYLES of night photography?
Astrophotography
Blue Hour Photography
Astrophotography involves taking photographs of celestial objects and phenomena, such as the Milky Way galaxy, the Aurora Borealis, or the starry sky.
I blend this style with Blue Hour couples photography to create stunning masterpieces that evoke feelings of wonder and magic.
Blue Hour Photography involves taking photographs during twilight - just after the sun sinks below the horizon and before darkness. During this time you can still make out the details of the landscape.
I utilize this style to create soft, romantic portraits that feel glowy and magical.
This is the same technique used during Magic Hour (the hour before sunrise)
Night Photography
Night photography involves... taking photos at night! We'll utilize this style if it's cloudy out and we aren't going to photograph the stars, or if there isn't even a sky to work with - for example, if we're taking romantic portraits outside of your glowing A-frame cabin in the woods.
WHAT ARE THE NIGHT PHENOMENA WE CAN EXPERIENCE?
Starry Skies
Milky Way
The Milky Way can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere from March through October. Seeing the Milky Way requires being in a Dark Sky Location that faces SE to SW, depending on the time of year. It also usually requires a relatively high vantage point with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky. Milky Way alignment models will be consulted to plan when and how to see it!
Aurora
Full Moon
Starry skies are easier to view than the Milky Way because your view can be in any direction, during any time of year! The sky is full of stars! During certain times of the year different constellations may be more visible in photographs than others. Viewing stars requires being in a Dark Sky Location as well.
Planning to experience a full moon or supermoon is the opposite of planning to view the stars or Milky Way because the light of the moon "washes out" the stars - so you can have one of the other, but not both. Moon cycle charts will be consulted to plan around full moon dates and times.
Planning to experience the Aurora is like a roll of the dice. In certain locations during certain times of year you may get luckier, but it's never a guarantee. Northern latitude locations like Norway, Iceland, Alaska, etc. have higher Aurora visibility rates than the rest of the world, and travel during the winter months (when it's dark most of the day) increases your odds.
WHAT SESSION TYPE IS RIGHT FOR US?
ASTRO
BLUE HOUR
Astro sessions are best for couples who want to spend several hours enjoying the area after dark... and walk away with the most magical artwork EVER. Depending on the time of year or the celestial phenomena desired, this could be one hour to several hours. Don't worry, the time you spend in front of the camera is actually quite minimal, leaving you to enjoy the evening together!
Astro sessions must take place in a Dark Sky location (far away from city lights).
Blue Hour sessions are best for couples who want the magic of low-light portraits but who don't want to stay on location past dark. We will still hike out in the dark, but we won't stay super late. If you value your sleep, this might be the option for you!
These photos are the most candid of the three options as they are mostly taken "hand-held" (not on a tripod).
Blue Hour sessions can take place anywhere!
NIGHT
Night sessions are best for couples who want to have magical photos in a place where there may not be open sky (such as in the forest or at a cabin). Cloudy skies aren't an issue when we can also take gorgeous, lit up photos of you and the landscape or cabin at night!
Night sessions can take place anywhere and at any time of night - so if you want to take a break and have dinner and then take more photos, I'm totally game for that.
The simplest answer is that most astrophotographers stay confined to their landscape niche and typically don't create compositions with people. It's neither good nor bad, it's just what they enjoy creating - and that motivation is important.
To that end, they’re not well-versed in working with people to create an out-of-this-world experience for others.
Landscape astrophotographers create artwork for themselves;
I create artwork for YOU.
Adventure elopement/engagement photographers occasionally dabble in astrophotography, but they typically aren’t masters in it. Why? Because it's HARD and requires extreme dedication! (PS: There's absolutely nothing wrong with this.)
Night photography isn't everyone's passion, but it is mine. I am passionate about creating the most magical artwork possible for YOU.
Another answer to this question is that portraits are usually taken during the day because that's when there's light. I've taken that concept and turned it upside down - let's take portraits at night! I'll bring my lights, you bring your best friend in the whole world.
WHY HAVE I NEVER SEEN PHOTOS LIKE THIS BEFORE?
Not only is my heart and soul woven into each night session, but I have years of experience, skills, and technical mastery in astrophotography as well as in elopement photography. I began my photography career as an astrophotographer before I made the transition to couples and elopements, so I come to you with an incredibly unique blend of skills.
You simply won’t find another adventure couples photographer who creates blue hour blend masterpieces of their clients like I do - this type of photography is highly specialized, requires intense planning, and is incredibly niche. After years of education and fieldwork, I have mastered the art of couples photography under the heavens.
I also love to share knowledge! While we're out on location, you'll get to learn all about the night sky, the Milky Way galaxy, the tools utilized, and the entire process for how we create one of these pieces of artwork together.
SO WHY SHOULD WE WORK WITH YOU?
Once you are officially a booked client you will get access to my 50+ page guide that is FULL of my personally curated astrophotography location suggestions!
It contains photos of every location I offer and details things like:
adventure overview
physical requirements to access locations
(mileage and gain)
best months to go
standard nighttime temps for best months
weather description
weather predictability score
distance from major airports
road surface (off road vs. paved)
nearest accommodations
Of course, you also get unlimited planning calls with me - I am here to plan alongside you to help determine what the best location choice will be for you both! Getting to know you and your vision will help me make suggestions that align with your desires and goals.
HOW DO I CHOOSE A GOOD ASTRO LOCATION?
Ready to make some magic together?
Thanks so much for your message!
I will reply to you as soon as possible - timelines may vary depending on if I am in the field with a client (where I may not have service!)
