3 Reasons Your Ottawa Wedding Photographer Recommends Sunset Photos

When couples ask me what makes the biggest difference in their wedding gallery, one of my first answers is always this: make time for sunset photos. As an Ottawa wedding photographer, I’ve seen how even a short 15–20 minutes away from the reception can completely transform your wedding photos—and your experience of the day itself. Stepping outside together as the sun dips low in the sky adds something magical that no other part of the day can quite replicate. Here’s why sunset photos are a must:

1. The Light is Pure Magic

Golden hour—the time just before sunset—is every photographer’s dream. The light is soft, warm, and glowy, creating the most flattering portraits. It gives your images that timeless, romantic feel couples always love. As your Ottawa wedding photographer, I’m always watching the light, and nothing compares to the glow of golden hour.

2. A Quiet Moment for Just the Two of You

Wedding days move quickly. Between your ceremony, hugs from family, and celebrating with friends, it can be hard to find a moment alone together. Sunset photos naturally give you that pause. It’s a chance to slow down, take in the day, and reconnect just the two of you before heading back to the party. Many of my couples tell me this becomes one of their favourite parts of the day.

3. More Variety in Your Wedding Gallery

By sunset, you’ll already have photos from earlier in the day—getting ready, your ceremony, portraits, and family photos. Adding sunset portraits brings a whole new layer of variety to your gallery. The change in light, backdrop, and mood often results in some of the most frame-worthy images from the entire wedding. The nerves of the day are often gone by this point, so couples often look more naturally relaxed by this time, making for beautiful and romantic images.

Pro tip: When I help couples plan their timeline, I always recommend penciling in sunset photos. Whether you sneak out during cocktail hour or step off the dance floor for a quick 15 minutes, it’s worth it. The glow of sunset doesn’t last long, but the photos will stay with you forever. Even better, add a few extra minutes in for Blue Hour, which comes right after sunset; A new type of light which makes for the most romantic photos (can you tell it’s my favourite?).

Are you planning to step away for sunset photos on your wedding day? If you’re still looking for an Ottawa wedding photographer to help you plan a relaxed, beautiful experience, I’d love to connect with you. Read more about what I offer for Wedding photography here, or reach out to me here to chat about your day.