The Pros & Cons of Scheduling A Photo Session During the Winter Months

Have you ever considered having family, senior, or engagement photos taken during the winter months? Here in Western Pennsylvania, where winters can be long and cold, not quite as many people venture out on location for photos in the dead of winter when they can curl up in front of the fire with a cup of coffee instead (I’m totally putting myself in that group of people!!). BUT if a winter photo session has ever peeked your interest as a possibility, I’ve put together a little pros and cons list to share the good and the not so good of scheduling a winter photo session!

Pros:

We’ll get to utilize breathtaking and unique backgrounds. When I’m driving past a mountain of freshly snow covered trees, I often stare in awe. There’s something so beautiful about freshly fallen snow that makes for a clean, gorgeous backdrop, not just when you’re driving to work but when you’re having your photos taken!

You’ll have that “cozy feeling” in your photos. There’s something about having your photos taken in the winter that immediately creates a “cozy” feeling, especially during engagement and couple sessions where you are going to be close and cuddled up anyways!

You’ll have more times to choose from with a higher probability of weekend dates being available! Because there’s less demand for photos in the winter, I usually have more timeslots available, both during weekdays and on weekends. Essentially, scheduling in the winter means you’ll get a fast pass to the front of the scheduling line!

Cons:

The obvious one: it’s COLD! Consider this test: does thinking about being out in the cold for 60 to 90 minutes make you want to never leave your house again? Then a winter photo session might not be the best choice for you. While some people don’t mind being out in the cold for an extended period of time, others would much rather wait until the warmer months (which is completely understandable!).

There’s a higher chance that your session might be cancelled or postponed due to extreme temperatures or inclement weather. Flexibility is key for winter sessions. There’s a chance your session could be snowed out (while snow is beautiful in photos, it’s not worth endangering your life for) or postponed due to freezing temperatures (who even likes to walk to their car in -5 degree weather?!). Being flexible is KEY!

It might not be the most enjoyable hour/hour and a half of your life. This one kind of speaks for itself – hanging out in the park in 15 degree weather isn’t nearly as fun as watching the sun set on a 70 degree day. The truth is, having a photo session the winter means you might be cold to your core!

What do you think? When considering the pros and cons - where do you fall? I write none of this to persuade anyone out of a winter session, but only to educate based on what some clients wish they would’ve known in the past. If you’re still interested in a winter photo session, be sure to check out my blog post “How to Prep for Your Winter Photo Session” for tips on preparing for a cold weather shoot!

How to Prepare for Your Winter Photo Session

There are SO many things I love about photographing people in a winter setting. There are lots of unique and picturesque backgrounds, and the photos always end up having an overall “cozy” feeling to them! But what does it really take to have your photos taken in the dead of winter when it’s 20 degrees (or less!) outside? There are a couple of tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years that have helped make winter sessions more enjoyable for those who are brave enough to step in front of my camera. So if YOU are planning on having family photos, couple photos, or senior photos taken during the winter – these are my best tips for you!

Make sure the first thing you’re thinking of when planning your outfits is WARMTH!

• Add accessories like scarves, hats, jackets, long boot socks and boots.
• Consider actually wearing a coat for your photos!
• Add layers underneath your chosen outfits – socks, long johns, an extra t-shirt – anything that will insulate you a little bit more!
• If you’ll be walking around in the snow, consider bringing a pair of snow boots for walking between locations so your “nice” boots or shoes don’t get ruined!

Bring some EXTRA warmth with you for in between shots!

• I always bring a blanket or two with me to my sessions in the winter, but I highly recommend bringing extra for yourself if you think of it! This can be a lifesaver while walking between locations or even just between shots!
• Hand warmers are a LIFESAVER for cold winter shoots. You can put them in your gloves, shoes, and pockets without the camera picking it up (for the most part!)

Be willing to be flexible if the weather calls for it.

There’s a higher chance of inclement weather, especially in Western Pennsylvania in the winter months, which means that a session could easily get snowed out or cancelled due to extreme temperatures. It’s not fun to have your photo taken in negative degree weather, which can make the session (and memories associated with it) somewhat unenjoyable, which is the very LAST thing I would ever want!

As a firm believer that photo sessions can be (and should be) enjoyable, incorporating these tips and tricks into your winter photo session will ensure that you stay somewhat warm and toasty throughout your entire session!

Jenna + Tom: North Shore Engagement Photos

I am SO EXCITED to share this session! Not only did we absolutely love hanging out with Jenna and Tom for their engagement photos, but we also had such a fun time going all over the North Shore with them! 

She's from Harrisburg, PA, he's from England, and they met at Rugger's pub in Pittsburgh! Jenna had just gotten back from a women's rugby tournament, and Tom had just joined the men's rugby team. Now, four and a half years later, they are engaged and ready to tie the knot in the city where they first met! Naturally, they wanted to incorporate some of the city into their photos, so we found some of the North Side/North Shore's most picturesque spots - including a Union Flag (totally unplanned, but so perfect!)

Congratulations again on your engagement, Jenna and Tom! I can't wait for the wedding!

Megan + Sean: Historic Harmony Engagement Photos

Megan and Sean are two of the sweetest people you'll ever meet! (I say that about quite a few of my couples, but it's all so true!) Megan and Sean chose Historic Harmony and Lake Forest Gardens (a Christmas tree farm!) for their engagement session locations - two of my favorites!! We were even able to warm up for a little bit in Wunderbar Cafe, right in the heart of Harmony.

You'll notice in the banner image above a "B" made out of greenery. It was literally the perfect prop for their session! Major props to Megan for her foresight!

These two are tying the knot in 2018 and I couldn't be more excited to photograph their wedding day. Megan and Sean - you two truly are the best! Thank you for a wonderful time!

Kim + Cam: Mexican War Street Anniversary Photos

This is a special one for a multitude of reasons! Nick (my husband) and I met Cam and Kim a few years ago, right before Cam started working at the same church as my husband, Nick. Cam and Kim are committed, Christ-centered, and adventurous to the core, and for their five year wedding anniversary, Cam surprised Kim with a couples session!

For their photo session, they decided to head back to the place where they said "I do" - Calvary United Methodist Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh! The surrounding area just so happened to be very close to where they first lived after they tied the knot, which made those photos even more special! After a few photos on the North Side, we headed over to Mellon Park to finish up their session with some beautiful, golden light. I couldn't speak more highly of these two - if you'd like to read more about their story, check out some of the questions below!

How long have you been together for? "We've married for 5 and together for 7.5."

When/how did you two first meet?: "We met at a Christmas party at Grove City College. We had mutual friends who introduced us. I [Cam] immediately fell in love with her smile. Kim also drew a snowflake on my cheek that night, so that helped too. We actually have pictures together from the first day we met!" 

How, when and where did he pop the question?!: "In Moscow, Russia. Kim grew up in Moscow with missionary parents. So, Cam traveled there with her during her senior year. He proposed on Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. It was really cold, but special. Kim's parents and best friend, Jess, were all in on the secret. Kim remembers Cam being so uptight and nervous about traveling, but couldn't figure out why. She eventually found out."

What was the BEST date you ever had together?: "One of our favorites was Jet Skiing in Florida. The wind and waves were intense, but Cam convinced the rental guy that he was experienced (which he is). We were practically the only ones out on the water. We laughed and screamed every time we jumped the huge waves. And then a group of dolphins swam within 15 yards of our jet ski. It was so cool! "

If you could sum your relationship up in 3 words, what would they be?: "Adventurous. Loving. Supportive."

Best of Engagement, Anniversary, & Couple Photos, 2017

There is something about photographing couples that's so uniquely challenging and exciting. This year, I really wanted to focus on capturing interaction between my couples, and I'm excited to have seen some growth not only in my work as a whole but in the fun that my couples are having during their sessions! This year, I had the distinct honor of photographing some strangers who turned into friends, and friends who turned into family, starting in February and extending all of the way into December! From engagements to proposals to anniversaries to maternity sessions, it has been my joy and privilege to see so many couples reach new milestones in their relationships together. Thank you all for the honor of capturing these moments!

Alisha + JJ: Coffee Shop & Vegan Pizza-Making Engagement Photos

SO EXCITED to share these photos of my sister-in-law and her husband-to-be!! I am beyond excited for these two to tie the knot and spend the rest of their lives together because it's so evident that God has brought them together.

Alisha and I have become less like an "in laws" and more like real sisters over the past couple of years, and for that, I am beyond grateful. She's truly one of my closest friends and confidants. So whenever these two asked me to take their engagement photos, obviously I was BEYOND pumped because I just love them so stinking much! (And in case you were wondering if I am photographing her wedding, I am NOT, because I am in it! ;) - but we have her covered with one of Pittsburgh's best wedding photographers, in my opinion!). Also, I have to give a major shout out to JJ for being literally one of the best guys I have ever photographed. He is a natural!

Since I know these two so well, I knew their engagement session had to be something special. Originally, we had planned to take a little trip down to the Strip District, but because the day we chose for their engagement session ended up being bitterly cold, we stayed close to home and hit up the ever-wonderful Historic Harmony! We stopped by the Wunderbar Cafe for some coffee and then headed back to Alisha's parents' house for a little vegan pizza making! These two LOVE to cook together, so a little pizza making in the kitchen was the perfect way to reflect their relationship a little bit more!

So without further ado, here are just a few of my favorites from their session!!

Love these two SO much! Huge thanks to Audrey for braving the cold with us to carry everything! She's the true MVP!!

Hair & Makeup for Alisha by Kaylin Simonic

Carly + Nick: Historic Harmony Engagement Photos

If you are a fan of Christmas time, Historic Harmony is THE place to be! Bakeries, gift shops, local food stores, restaurants, and cafes line the street of this little old German town - and during Christmas, it's even more magical! I was so excited when Carly and Nick opted for a "Christmas" engagement session in Historic Harmony and Lake Forest Gardens (a local tree farm!). What a perfect combination!! I am so excited to share these images and have so much love for this sweet couple!!!

Sarah + John: McConnell's Mill Engagement Photos

Oh my goodness. These two were so much fun to photograph!! We took their engagement photos on a busy fall day at McConnell's Mill, but they didn't let the crowds faze them!! These two made my job incredibly easy purely because they just have such a joy and happiness being around each other! I am so excited for your wedding day next year, Sarah and John!!!

Leah + Conner: Mellon Park Engagement Photos

Oh my word. I have SO MANY favorites from this session, it's insane! Leah and Conner are one of those couples that made my job so incredibly easy - just by being themselves! I actually attended Robert Morris University with Leah (though we had different majors), so I've known her for quite a few years! We actually went on the same two week study abroad trip to Ireland just a few years back, too - so when she asked me to photograph her engagement and wedding photos, I was stoked!!

Leah and Conner did long distance for the majority of their relationship - both attended different colleges hours apart from each other, then held jobs in different cities post-graduation. The two finally moved back to the burgh a few months ago and now are planning their wedding, which will take place in Pittsburgh!

For their engagement session, Leah and Conner opted for Mellon Park - admittedly, Mellon Park is a popular spot for engagement photos, but I am so glad that that didn't dissuade this pair from using it for theirs! They live only a few blocks away and are frequent visitors of the park (especially on beautiful evenings, like the one we had last night for their engagement session!). We even stopped over at Bakery Square for a few quick photos towards the end of their session! I am SO excited to share these images - congratulations, Leah and Conner!