Blue Hour Photography Is the Hottest Portrait Trend of 2025 | Northern Pics

Why Blue-Hour Portraits Are 2025’s Most Striking Photography Trend

What Is Blue Hour?

Blue hour refers to the short window of twilight before sunrise or after sunset when the sun is below the horizon, but the sky is still lit with deep shades of blue and purple. It typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the time of year and your location. In Canada, that could mean a longer window during summer evenings in the north, or a quick flash of light in winter.

Photographers love it for its even, shadowless light, low contrast, and naturally moody tones. It’s subtle and understated, yet incredibly dramatic when framed the right way.

Why It’s the Hot Trend in 2025

Blue-hour portraits are dominating photography news cycles right now because they tick every box in the evolving tastes of clients and creators: emotional, cinematic, editorial, and natural.

A recent feature in Brides magazine called blue hour “the new must-have wedding portrait style.” It’s easy to see the appeal: couples want moody, authentic, film-like images that feel more like stills from a movie than posed portraits in the sun. Blue hour delivers exactly that.

Whether it’s a couple illuminated by the last hint of daylight or a creative shoot blending flash with deepening dusk, this trend allows photographers to tell stories that feel more like moments than setups.

Why Blue Hour Works So Well for Portraits

• Soft light, fewer shadows: Perfect for skin tones and flattering on the face.
• Cinematic atmosphere: The tones naturally feel dramatic and intimate.
• Creative flexibility: Easily combine ambient light with off-camera flash, LED lighting, or natural sources like candles or street lamps.
• No interruptions: For wedding photographers, blue hour happens after the ceremony and dinner, when schedules loosen up and clients are more relaxed.
• Editorial appeal: Think magazine-quality shots, with the emotional depth to match.

How You Can Use Blue Hour in Your Photography

Here in Canada, blue hour offers something uniquely beautiful in every province. From the northern glow over Saskatchewan’s wide open skies to mist settling over Banff, there’s endless potential to build portraits into landscapes.

Here’s how I’ve been experimenting with it in my own work—and how you can too:

1. Scout Locations in Advance

Blue hour is fleeting. You’ll want to know exactly where the subject will stand, what direction the light fades, and how to frame the scene before the clock starts ticking.

2. Understand Exposure in Low Light

You’re shooting with a limited light source, so getting exposure right is critical. Use a tripod when needed. Bring fast lenses (f/1.4–f/2.8) and don’t be afraid to bump your ISO higher than usual. The softness of blue hour can hide noise well.

3. Combine Natural and Artificial Light

Direct flash, backlighting with LED panels, car headlights, string lights—these all look amazing when used creatively against a twilight sky. It’s a perfect time to experiment with layering light.

4. Incorporate the Landscape

For landscape photographers like me, blue hour portraits are a chance to combine nature and people in a single story. Whether it’s a silhouette against a waterfall, or a couple walking through a field just after sunset, it’s a powerful visual blend.

5. Plan by Location and Season

In Banff, Jasper, or Northern BC, blue hour can stretch out and linger, especially in the summer. In Ontario or along the coast, timing might be tighter. I always use tools like PhotoPills or the Photographer’s Ephemeris to plan.

Why This Matters for Canadian Photographers

Blue hour isn’t new, but how we’re using it is. As editorial-style, documentary-inspired photography continues to dominate in both weddings and portraits, blue hour has emerged as one of the most powerful storytelling tools we have.

If you’re looking to elevate your portrait work, stand out in a crowded market, or push the boundaries of your creative lighting, blue hour is worth chasing.

And if you’re a couple looking for photography that feels emotional and honest without all the posing and flash, this is your moment—literally.

Whether I’m in the Canadian Rockies, deep in the woods of Northern Ontario, or wandering the back roads of British Columbia, I’ve learned to never pack up after sunset. That soft blue light that most people miss? That’s where the real magic happens.

Watch for future blog posts where I’ll break down gear setups, show behind-the-scenes from blue-hour shoots across Canada, and share tips for balancing exposure in challenging conditions.