Sunset, Liberty State Park, and Kodak Gold

Mixing digital and film for a golden-hour family session in Jersey City

It was one of those summer evenings where the light does all the talking.

We started with a family shoot—Maria, her husband, their son, and her in-laws—gathered gently in the golden hour at Liberty State Park. It was hot, very hot, the kind of heat that makes you dream of lemonade and shade. But the light was kind. A couple of hours before sunset, Kodak Gold 200 rendered it perfectly—soft, forgiving, almost painterly in its warmth. That film really shines when the sun still hangs high but starts to lean toward evening.

Later, when the family wandered off to rest, Maria and I stayed behind for creative portraits—just the two of us, the last heat shimmering on the horizon. Looking back, I wish I’d switched to a film with more latitude—Portra 400 would’ve danced with those deeper tones and shifting shadows. Kodak Gold is lovely, but sunset demands a bit more flexibility. Next time, I’ll know.

I used a mix of digital and film for this shoot—something I’ve been loving lately, especially for more personal and creative sessions. Digital gives you that instant rhythm, while film adds a quiet, deliberate texture. Together, they build a layered story, where nothing feels rushed, and every frame holds weight.

Thank you, Maria, for that beautiful evening. And to the sun: I’ll be ready next time.