With all the details in planning an event like a wedding—there is also a process to consider with photography.

Often times when speaking with a client they ask things such as: What time of day should we do formal photos? Will we have enough time heading from one venue to the next? Do you think we need more than an hour for getting ready photos? Etc. Etc.

After months on Pinterest, pinning thousands of ideas, and even creating an ideal timeline for the day—it’s important to consider, not doing photos in midday. The following are a few top reasons, from experience why this is the case:

• First look “Squints”—first off, you don’t want to be one eye open, squinting, as you stand in midday sun for the first look with your partner. Or worse a completely blown out image due to the intensity of the sun.

• Shadows—not only do shadows create almost impossible challenges in the photographer’s post-production— shadows also can ruin an otherwise compositionally, well lit image.

• Timing for all parties—if the timing for the ceremony is overlapping with keeping one party separate, more times than not it means limited if no time at all to grab coverage of say the church before, guests walking in, family arrival, guys pinning boutonnières etc. (if these are important to document, have a friend or family member with a nice camera grab these pics!)

• Sweat—the only thing more challenging than shadows to edit. If your entire bridal party is sweating, due to the lack of shade and midday sun, the quality of images again can suffer.

This is not to say midday photos are impossible; there are options to ‘work around’ this such as a shaded area—a tree, covered walkway or gazebo.

While this can be challenging with venue times, there’s plenty of time to capture portrait shots in early morning or right towards the end of a setting sun. (Talk about gorgeous, golden hour images for your big day!)

The weather can’t be controlled; but the timing of light—can be managed. Be sure to keep these things in mind, as you plan out the big celebration!