Golden Hour Portrait Planner: Location, Sun Direction & Times
Start with your own readings. Calculate the change, verify a frame, and save what works.
Golden hour portrait planner
Find local sunrise and sunset light, left/right sun times, and a printable portrait schedule.
Be ready when the light is.
Enter your shoot location and date. Find the morning and evening golden-hour windows, plan your arrival, and bring a practical portrait checklist.
Times use the location’s time zone, including daylight saving time. Golden hour is defined here as sunrise to a sun altitude of 6°, and 6° to sunset. It may be shorter or longer than an hour.
Read the golden-hour portrait guide →Learn more: examples, explanations & common questions
Plan the time and direction of your portrait light
Choose a shoot location and local date. Golden-hour windows and directional sun times are astronomical estimates for an open horizon.
- Search and choose a place or enter coordinates. Confirm the location’s time zone.
- Choose sunrise or sunset. Add a camera bearing if you want sun on your left or right.
- Print the schedule or add it to your calendar. Scout the horizon and meter the actual scene.
If the camera faces north (0° true bearing), sun at 3 o’clock means east (90°), and 9 o’clock means west (270°). The tool solves the time for that bearing; it does not assume 3 p.m. or 9 a.m.
Is golden hour always one hour?
No. This tool uses sunrise to +6° sun altitude in the morning, and +6° to sunset in the evening. Duration varies with season and location.
Will the sun be visible?
Clouds, terrain and buildings can block it. Predictions assume an unobstructed horizon and are not a weather forecast.
What if I am traveling?
Use the shoot location’s time zone, not your home zone. Displayed times account for daylight saving time.
Learn the decision behind the setting.
By Dwayne of DNA Premium Portraits, Sacramento-area portrait photographer. See formulas, assumptions and equipment sources.
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