Golden hour in wheat fields

What a glorious golden hour in wheat fields this was, one hot summers evening in July 2021! While scouting out a location for this beautiful family of 10’s golden hour Smiley Day (family photo shoot,) I visited 2 other locations. But they were both in shade. Finally, while exploring one of these, a friendly dog walker and then a runner told me about these glorious golden wheat fields.

This family wanted to have a Smiley Day to update their family photos. A new family member had joined the family since their last family photo shoot. First up was individual photos. While some loved having photos taken and others not so much, they all did so well. Overall, they loved being in the golden wheatfields after bedtime! I was the most glorious summer evening of 25C at the tail end of a heatwave. A cool breeze whispered through the fields. The sun shone in its golden brilliance just before sunset. Golden hour did not disappoint! (Golden hour is typically the golden glow of sunlight 1 hour before sunset. But the sun has to be shining!)

First up was photographing individuals and the two sets of twins the the gorgeous wheat fields. As long shadows began to creep up the field, the mum and dad had a bit of a dancing twirl and a dip just for fun – perfect for a dancer-mum!

A few creeping shadows meant we had to do a bit more walking than I’d planned. Moving into the midst of the golden wheat fields, for family photos. The walk however, was perfect for another family shot.

I’d planned a couple of posed group shots. Photos of all the girls together and all the guys/boys together, in the golden wheat fields.

Precious moments between this mum and her last baby.

Just as the sun started setting, I wrapped things up for the family to be able to enjoy the beautiful sunset with a night picnic they had brough along. Everyone was ready for a break and a snack after a long day and busy Smiley Day ending at 8.45pm. Just as the light was turning from the golden hour to blue light,(dusk) just before 9pm, the mum requested one last family photo and I’m so glad she did. I love how it turned out!

It was such a pleasure and a blessing to photograph this special family, whose family has blossomed and grown since the time they served faithfully in ministry in a church I used to attend, several years ago.