Bridal Editorial by Moonlight: Capturing Blue Hour Magic on Brighton Beach
As a wedding photographer, there’s nothing quite like shooting during the Blue Hour – the time right after the sun sets, where the sky fades into deep blues and purples, creating an ethereal mood.
Bridal editorial by moonlight? Absolutely. There’s something undeniably magical about shooting during Blue Hour – the time just after the sun slips below the horizon, leaving behind a soft, blue glow. It’s a fleeting moment, a dreamy space between day and night, where the light becomes soft and ethereal, creating the perfect backdrop for capturing celestial, witchy vibes.
In folklore, Blue Hour is said to be a time of magic and empowerment, and I’ve been itching to revisit it for a bridal editorial for ages. For this editorial, the stars (and moon!) aligned, and I finally got the chance. We set out to shoot some beautiful bridal couture on the beach near Brighton, and as if the universe wanted to add an extra touch of magic, we were gifted with a stunning Supermoon.
Honestly, no. Sometimes the photography gods just hand you a little bit of magic, and that’s exactly what happened here. Our original concept was to play with the mystical light of Blue Hour, but when the Supermoon appeared in all its glowing glory, it became the star of the show. 🌙
Why Blue Hour for a Bridal Editorial By Moonlight?
There’s something about Blue Hour that’s different from the more familiar Golden Hour glow. While Golden Hour gives you that warm, romantic light, Blue Hour brings a sense of calm, mystery, and a touch of wild magic. The Chappuis absorption of ozone in the atmosphere creates that soft, dusky blue light that’s perfect for creating moody, atmospheric photos. It’s almost as if the sky itself becomes part of the story, wrapping the scene in a blanket of twilight.
For this bridal editorial, I wanted to explore that wild, untamed energy. The contrast of elegant bridal couture against the rugged, rocky shore of Brighton Beach was a striking visual, and with the Supermoon overhead, the whole scene felt deeply mystical.
Capturing the Supermoon
The Supermoon was truly the unexpected gift of the evening. As it rose, glowing large and luminous in the sky, it added an extra layer of magic to the shoot. I knew right away that it had to become the focal point for some of the images. One of my favourite moments was when our model, Anna, perfectly aligned her hands with the moon, almost cradling it, creating a celestial, goddess-like composition.
The combination of candlelight and moonlight brought a serene, yet powerful energy to the shoot. The only sounds around us were the gentle waves crashing on the shore, and it felt as though time had slowed down just for us. Some shoots feel like pure magic from start to finish, and this was definitely one of them.
INSPIRED, NOW WHAT?
Bridal editorials allow us wedding professionals to tap into something magical, to push our creativity, and to capture images that feel truly unique. This Blue Hour session on Brighton Beach, with its unexpected Supermoon, was one of those rare shoots where everything just falls into place. If you’ve never tried shooting during Blue Hour, I can’t recommend it enough – the light, the mood, and the energy are something else entirely.
Whether you’re a bride looking for ethereal inspiration or a photographer seeking your next creative challenge, remember that sometimes, the best moments are the ones you can’t plan for. And when those moments happen, embrace them fully – because that’s where the magic lives. What magic can we create together? Drop me a line and let’s chat…
