Sunrise or Sunset: Which is best for your Maui photo session?
Maui sunrise viewed from the summit of Mount Haleakala
As a small island in the middle of the enormous Pacific Ocean, sunrises and sunsets are simply stunning on Maui! There are a number of factors that you’ll want to consider regarding Maui sunrises, sunsets, and the general time of day when planning your wedding or photo session.
You should select the general time for your wedding or session based on both comfort and lighting. The Maui sun is quite harsh and intense from about 9am - 3pm (varying by about an hour depending on the time of year). If possible, you’ll want to avoid having your beach ceremony or photo session during these hours. Being out in the open sun is not only uncomfortable for the couple and guests, but it can also cause undesirable shadows and harsh light that can be unflattering for portraits.
The hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset, referred to as “the golden hour”, offers the most gentle and beautiful light for photography purposes. It’s also the time of day that is most comfortable to be on the beach without overheating and burning in the sun. Ideally, you should plan your photography times around the golden hour.
So, which is better—sunrise or sunset???
Honestly, it’s too hard for me to choose as I love them both for different reasons! Sunrises typically have softer, more pastel colors, and the beaches are much less crowded. It is also generally cooler in the morning, and the infamous Maui wind tends to be a bit less! As the sun rises more fully toward the end of your session, the look in photos will be more bright. I love that the beaches are typically less crowded, and there is something very special about starting the day by witnessing two people vow their love for each other.
Pastel colors for a sunrise elopement at Makena Cove, Maui.
Beautiful, soft light for a sunrise honeymoon photo session on Maui’s North Shore.
Sunsets usually offer more vibrant, intense colors in the sky; however, the beaches will be more crowded (and it’s important to keep in mind that a vivid sunrise or sunset can never be promised!). It may be quite warm on the beach at the start of your ceremony, although it might cool off a bit as the sun lowers. A warm golden glow is more likely to occur during sunset, depending on what location you choose for your ceremony.
It’s also worth noting that on where you are on Maui and the time of year, you may or may not be able to see the sun actually rise or sink below the horizon.
A stunning sunset can be seen behind this couple.
A newlywed couple walks into a vivid sunset on Maui’s South Shore.
Ceremony start times: For sunrise beach weddings, I recommend that the ceremony start within the hour after the scheduled sunrise time. The ceremony start time should occur within the 75 minutes before the scheduled sunset time for sunset beach weddings. When clients book their Maui wedding with me, I provide one-on-one assistance in choosing a ceremony start time, as well as the location, that will suit your needs. And if you can’t plan your ceremony around ideal lighting conditions, don’t despair! I do have tricks up my sleeve that ensure photos taken in harsh light are just as stunning as those captured during the golden hour.
Want to chat about the best time of day for your Maui beach wedding or photo session?
