The best time of day for photos in Punta Cana

The single biggest factor in how your photos look isn't the camera — it's the light. On a Caribbean beach, the time of day changes everything.

Why not midday?

Between roughly 10 am and 3 pm, the sun is high and hard. It creates dark shadows under eyes, makes everyone squint, and turns the sea a flat, bright white. It's also very hot. I avoid it whenever possible.

Sunset: warm and golden

The hour before sunset is the favorite for most couples and families. The light is warm, soft on skin, and the sky often turns pink and orange.

In Punta Cana, sunset happens around 6 pm in winter and around 7 pm in summer (the Dominican Republic doesn't change clocks). I schedule sessions to start about an hour before sunset.

One detail: on the east coast, the sun sets behind the land, not over the sea. That means soft, glowing light on the beach rather than a sun disc on the horizon. It's very flattering.

Sunrise: quiet and soft

Sunrise sessions are underrated. The beaches are empty, the air is cooler and the light is pastel. On the east coast, the sun rises over the sea, so this is when you get the sun on the horizon.

Sunrise is around 6 am in summer and around 7 am in winter. It's an early alarm, but families with small kids often love it — kids are at their best in the morning.

Which should you choose?

• Couples, honeymoons, proposals: sunset for warmth and romance.
• Families with young children: sunrise or early morning.
• Maternity: early morning, when it's cooler.
• Big groups: sunset, when everyone is ready and relaxed after the day.

What about clouds?

Some of my favorite sessions happened under light clouds: soft, even light, no squinting. Clouds are not a problem. Rain is a different story — read what happens if it rains.