· 2 min read
Sunrise or sunset: when to have your photoshoot
The time of day shapes your photos as much as the place does. On the Turkish coast I almost always shoot in the first or last hour of sun. Here's how sunrise and sunset differ and how to choose.
Why not midday
From 11 am to 5 pm in summer the sun is high. It casts harsh shadows under the eyes, people squint, skin shines and the water looks flat. Posing and looking fresh in the heat is hard too. So at midday I only shoot in the shade or indoors.
Sunset: warm and golden
- Pros: warm golden light, sun-kissed skin, a beautiful sky. No early alarm.
- Cons: popular spots are busier, especially the Temple of Apollo and Cleopatra Beach.
- We start about an hour before sunset to get both the soft light and the sunset itself.
Sunrise: soft and empty
- Pros: almost nobody around, a calm sea, cool air, soft pink and blue tones.
- Cons: a very early start, especially in June and July.
- Ideal for popular spots that are crowded at sunset, and for swimwear shots by the water.
Times by month
A guide for the coast from Kemer to Alanya. The exact time depends on the day, so before the shoot I send it for your date.
- April: sunrise around 6:30, sunset around 19:35. Evening shoots from 18:30.
- May: sunrise around 6:00, sunset around 19:55. Evening shoots from 18:50.
- June – July: sunrise around 5:45, sunset around 20:15. Evening shoots from 19:10.
- August: sunrise around 6:10, sunset around 19:50. Evening shoots from 18:45.
- September: sunrise around 6:35, sunset around 19:10. Evening shoots from 18:05.
- October: sunrise around 7:00, sunset around 18:30. Evening shoots from 17:25.
Town by town
- Kemer: the sun drops behind the mountains earlier, so we start evening shoots a bit sooner.
- Side: the Temple of Apollo stands at the tip of the peninsula, and in the evening the sun sets into the sea behind the columns. More in the Temple of Apollo in Side.
- Alanya: Cleopatra Beach has soft evening light and a view of the castle rock.
How to choose
- You want warm golden photos and hate early mornings: sunset.
- You want nobody else in the frame, or you're shooting in swimwear: sunrise.
- You're shooting with small kids: we follow their routine, often that means morning.
Send me your holiday dates and I'll suggest a time for your town and day.
