Why Golden Hour Matters More in Abu Dhabi

In the UAE, light behaves a little differently than it does in Europe or other parts of the world—and that affects your photos more than you might think.

Here’s why:

• The sun is stronger and harsher in the middle of the day
  In Abu Dhabi, the sun sits high in the sky for most of the day, creating very bright and direct light. This kind of harsh light causes strong shadows under the eyes and nose and can make everyone squint—not ideal for natural, relaxed photos. Most people can’t even keep their eyes open without sunglasses during mid-day hours, which makes it incredibly difficult to capture natural expressions or eye contact.

  That said, this doesn’t apply as much to locations with a lot of shade—such as Umm Al Emarat Park, where trees, walls, or structures help diffuse the light. Shadier spots like this can be more forgiving if a session needs to be scheduled earlier in the day. However, for open locations like the desert or beach, shooting during golden hour is absolutely key for the best results.

• The golden hour is shorter here
  Because Abu Dhabi is closer to the equator than Europe, the sun rises and sets more quickly and directly. That means the magical golden light appears for a much shorter time—sometimes just 20–30 minutes. In comparison, golden hour in northern Europe can last an hour or more.

So when we plan a sunset photo shoot here, we need to start right on time to make the most of the light. I always recommend arriving early so we’re fully ready once the sun begins to dip.