In the world of corporate photography and marketing video production, timing is everything—especially when it comes to shooting on location. Whether you’re capturing executive portraits, team photos, or dynamic video b-roll for brand storytelling, the time of day plays a critical role in determining the quality, tone, and effectiveness of your visuals.
At St Louis Corporate Photographer, we’ve been guiding businesses, creative agencies, and marketing professionals in and around the St. Louis area since 1982. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to help you understand the best time of day for location photography—and how that decision affects the overall look and feel of your marketing visuals.
Why Time of Day Matters in Location Photography
Lighting can make or break your image. In natural light environments, the sun is your primary light source, and its position throughout the day changes everything—color temperature, shadow angles, contrast levels, and more. Knowing when to shoot allows us to use available light creatively or plan for artificial lighting where needed.
Let’s explore the different parts of the day and what they bring to your photo or video production.
1. Golden Hour: The Brand Favorite
Time: ~1 hour after sunrise or 1 hour before sunset
Why it’s popular:
The golden hour is renowned for its soft, warm lighting that adds depth, glow, and natural contrast to imagery. This is often the go-to time for branding photos, hero shots of your team, or video interviews that need to feel inspiring and approachable.
Ideal For:
- Corporate headshots with a natural, approachable look
- Executive portraits outdoors
- Real estate and architecture photography
- Drone footage with cinematic appeal
Pro Tip: If you’re creating visuals to connect emotionally with your audience, golden hour is the sweet spot.
2. Midday: Bright, Bold, and High-Energy
Time: 11 AM – 2 PM
Why it works (sometimes):
The sun is highest at midday, creating a very direct and intense light. While it can lead to harsh shadows, it also results in a high-contrast, punchy look that can work well for certain dynamic commercial shots.
Ideal For:
- Industrial settings where raw detail and hard shadows add authenticity
- Drone photos or videos when shadows are less of a concern
- Fast-moving, outdoor b-roll where energy is a key brand attribute
Challenges:
Strong sunlight means strong shadows and potential squinting. But with professional modifiers and reflectors, we can control those elements on set.
3. Overcast Days: Your Secret Weapon
Time: Anytime during cloudy conditions
Why it’s underrated:
Soft, diffused light from a cloud-covered sky eliminates harsh shadows and produces a smooth, flattering appearance—perfect for consistent skin tones and even product shots.
Ideal For:
- Large group photos
- Lifestyle branding photography
- Outdoor interviews or testimonial videos
- Locations with lots of reflective surfaces
Bonus: Cloudy skies also reduce the risk of blown-out highlights in your images.
4. Blue Hour: Quiet and Cinematic
Time: ~30 minutes before sunrise or after sunset
Why it’s unique:
Blue hour offers a cool, atmospheric tone that adds mood and sophistication. It’s not ideal for standard headshots, but perfect for stylized shoots and visual branding that leans into emotion or drama.
Ideal For:
- Creative campaign visuals
- Exterior shots of your business or storefront
- Nighttime drone footage
- Product launch teasers or branded mini-films
Planning Your Production with Professionals
Each business and brand has different visual goals, and part of a successful shoot is tailoring the time of day to match the intended message. That’s where expert planning and location scouting make a real difference.
At St Louis Corporate Photographer, we don’t just show up with cameras—we arrive with a full plan.
Our team:
- Evaluates your brand’s message and desired tone
- Scouts your location for optimal lighting opportunities
- Uses professional modifiers, diffusers, and strobes as needed
- Brings the right crew and gear to handle any lighting condition
We even fly specialized drones indoors when required, making use of our private studio and mobile capabilities to match your vision—any time of day.
Why Work with St Louis Corporate Photographer?
St Louis Corporate Photographer is a full-service commercial photography and video production company with over four decades of trusted service in the St. Louis region. We bring the right equipment, creative crew, and production experience to ensure every shoot results in strong, compelling visuals that align with your marketing goals.
We offer:
- Studio and location photo/video production
- Post-production, editing, and color correction
- Licensed drone pilots for interior/exterior aerial work
- Private interview studio setups with full lighting control
- AI-enhanced editing and asset repurposing for cross-platform branding
- Full understanding of all modern file types and software systems
From executive portraits to branded interview scenes, from detailed product images to dynamic drone footage, St Louis Corporate Photographer customizes each production to meet your needs—and makes sure your investment in media goes further by repurposing assets for multiple platforms.
Let us help make your next video or photography project not just effective—but extraordinary.
Ready to schedule your next location shoot?
Let’s choose the best time of day—and the best team—to make it happen.
Contact St Louis Corporate Photographer today for a custom quote and production plan.
St Louis Corporate Photographer 