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!

Parise Family: Winter Strip District Family Photos

I had so much fun hanging out with the Parise family on a very cold and snowy Saturday in late December! These four people are four of my new heroes, because not only did they brave extremely cold temperatures for their family photos - but they took their jackets off and didn't even complain while we trekked all over the Strip District! And even though I came away with some minor frostbite (don't worry, I bought myself a nice new pair of boots for my upcoming winter sessions! ;) ) it was totally and completely worth it.

And since these photos were a gift from kids and dad to mom (what a sweet idea, right?!), I want to say a big happy birthday to Cheri! Here's to many, many more years with those you love!

Nalinee + Josh: Hartwood Acres Maternity Photos

Nalinee and Josh are having a baby and I was so honored when they asked me to take maternity photos for them at one of my favorite spots - Hartwood Acres! Their session took place on the perfect fall day, and Nalinee wore the most beautiful, flowing, blush dress, complete with a flower crown, while Josh wore a tux. I love the thought these two put into their outfits - they perfectly match Hartwood's classic elegance! Congratulations on your growing family, Nalinee and Josh!

Vendors:

Makeup & Hair: Kaylin Simonic

Michelle, Rob, Beau, & Arya: Pittsburgh In-Home Family Session

It's always such an honor to be welcomed into people's homes for photos, but I felt especially lucky to be hanging out with these four! Michelle and Rob tied the knot almost half a year ago, but decided they needed some photos with their sweet pups, Beau and Arya! In addition, they wanted to highlight the home they purchased a couple of years ago and have been renovating. It is absolutely beautiful! I love when clients turn into friends, and these two certainly feel like friends already! It was such an honor to take these for you, Michelle and Rob!

DeFanti Family: Zelienople Family Photographer

Oh how I love this family! I've had the pleasure of knowing Ada for a couple of years now. Ada is a wonderful photographer herself and loves to photograph families and seniors around her beautiful property, just north of Cranberry Township. So you can imagine how honored I was when she asked me to come and take some photos of her sweet family on their very own property!

As a side note, I think Ada has one of the coolest jobs ever - she works for Disney at their research center in Oakland (And for those of you who don't know me very well - I LOVE Disney!) - talk about an amazing gig! 

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

Connor K: North Hills Family Photographer

One of the hugely rewarding parts about being a wedding photographer is seeing families grow from two to three! Maryann and Kevin (whose wedding I photographed just last year - see it here!) welcomed baby Connor into the world just a short while ago - and I was so honored when they asked me to take his newborn photos! This little guy already has the sweetest disposition and is so very loved!

Meet Baby Violet: Emsworth Family Photographer

I had the privilege of visiting Miss Violet and her family just a few short weeks ago to document a little day in her life! This sweet little lady was born prematurely and with a few complications, but now she's over a month old and capturing everyone's hearts with her sweet smile and personality!

For Violet's session, we used a little inspiration from baby Emerson's newborn session (see it here!). We used quite a few different set ups in Violet's family's home, including the most beautiful little porch with the most beautiful windows. Caroline, Violet's mom, even had some different flowers and props set up and ready to go so we could easily jump from one spot to the next. I loved spending the day with this sweet family, and I hope you enjoy some of my favorite photos from their in-home session!

The Peters Family: Pittsburgh Family Photography

I don't take many newborn sessions, which made this one all the sweeter and more special! Brooklyn was just over one week new when I visited her family to document one of her first few days in the world - and what an honor it was! Congratulations on your sweet new baby girl, Peters family!