1. Scout Your Location Early
Dubai has no shortage of gorgeous beachfronts—whether it’s the iconic JBR skyline, the serene shores of Palm Jumeirah, or the laid-back vibe of Kite Beach. Visit your chosen spot a few days before your big day at golden hour to note where the sun sets and how the light moves.
2. Mind the Tides
A rising tide can swallow your pretty shoes (and gear!), while a low tide might reveal more sandy foreground for dramatic wide shots. Check tide schedules online and align them with your golden-hour window.
3. Embrace Backlighting
Position the couple with the sun behind them, so the light filters through veils, hair, and dress fabric. This creates a natural rim light that separates them from the background and gives a soft halo effect.
4. Use Reflectors and Fill Flash
Even soft golden light can cast shadows under the eyes. A simple white reflector (or a friend holding up a white board) can bounce light gently back onto faces. If you need a little extra pop, dial in a low-power fill flash to brighten eyes without overpowering the sunset vibe.
5. Mix Wide and Tight Compositions
– Wide shots capture the beach, sky, and atmosphere—great for storytelling.
– Tight portraits focus on emotion, details, and expressions.
Switching between the two keeps your gallery dynamic and engaging.
– Capture Movement
Let the breeze play with veils, dresses, or even the groom’s tie. Slight movement adds life to stills and feels natural, not forced.
– Bracket Your Exposures
Shoot at a few different exposure settings (e.g., –1, 0, +1 EV) to ensure you nail both sky detail and skin tones. It’s better to have options in post than to struggle with one tricky frame.