Here in the Northwest Indiana and Chicago area, winter lords over us for many months. We are a desperate bunch who cling to spring, summer, and fall for dear life. As I’m typing this I’m seeing mid-April snow showers outside of my window.

As a Midwest wedding photographer, I’m booked up solidly from late April through November with my off-season in the winter months.

I’m often asked to take sunset wedding photos, and I can understand why. I find that time of day perfect for photography, and I love to deliver stunning wedding photography. A beautiful sunset is the perfect wedding crasher!

There are a few obstacles to getting you some gorgeous wedding photos at sunset. These range from simultaneous important reception events to uncooperative Midwest weather to physical obstacles. I do have my workarounds, though. Let’s discuss this.

Obstacle #1 - It’s a cloudy day.

This must mean we are out of luck with no chance of a sunset wedding photo. Well, not so fast…

I always joke that I carry the sun around with me in my camera bag. It’s true in a way.

I recently photographed a micro wedding in Chicago, Illinois with total cloud cover. We had planned on some sunset wedding photos at North Avenue Beach and when we arrived it was total cloud cover.

While I could not change mother nature’s plans and produce a big orange ball over the city, I was able to emulate a golden hour look for their wedding photos with some off-camera gelled lighting for a natural-looking wedding portrait at sunset. I hid the light within the tree branches simulating the sun shining through them.

Obstacle #2 - Dinner Is Served.

My wedding day philosophy is to be efficient so that my clients can actually enjoy their own weddings. I want you to get great quality wedding photography but to also be able to look back and remember all of the fun you had. I want you to remember all of your friends and family foremost, not the barrel of my camera lenses.

However, if you want to step outside for a photo at sunset on your wedding day, just let me know. I promise to make it quick and get you back to your meal and dancing.

Obstacle #3 - We missed it!

Wedding days are busy, and Aunt Connie likes to talk and talk and talk. We couldn’t get away!

No worries. Perhaps we can sneak in a photo at Twilight. These are also known as blue-hour wedding photos.

We are restricted to getting these done from 15 minutes after sunset (best) to 40 minutes past the last light. Let me know if you enjoy these night portraits, and we can schedule them for your day. Once again, I work quickly and efficiently, so this will take no more than 5 minutes of your time.

Do you like what you see?

Let’s chat about creating images like this for your wedding day.