Make a Winter Day your Perfect Photoshoot.

Plan Ahead.

Whether the forecast is calling for a chance of snow or they are predicting unusual warm temperatures, try not to wait until the moment has come and passed. I am here to make beautiful images with you! Reach out and let me know your concerns and ideas. Check the weather often and we will pick a time that works best for the conditions. If I am your photographer, I will be flexible with you so that you have the very best experience and images.

Dress Warm.

It’s winter! A cute hat with a pom pom or a nice fedora adds a lot of charm and whimsy to your shoot. Sneak some hand warmers into your shoes, your pockets, or anywhere you can hide them. Wear hidden layers like tights, long johns, or thermals and grab your mate to feel extra cozy. Bring along a hot tea to sip in-between shots and embrace the atmosphere. The more you play and move, the warmer you will feel. Remember you can always wear your jacket for some of the session and take it off for the other portion. You have flexibility within your shoot to look and feel however it is you are most comfortable.

Bring a Blanket.

Whether you want to wrap yourself around it in-between shots or use it as a prop, its nice to have a snuggly blanket to keep you cheery. You can sit on the blanket rather than the cold snow and still achieve a nice intimate look. Wrap it around one another in order to cozy into a romantic moment and even match it to your attire.

Consider a Shorter Session.

I typically recommend an hour to two hours set aside for a shoot. It’s nice to have that space to get create, change outfits, and incorporate different backdrops and locations. When its 30 degrees out though, especially with childen, we want to capture the moment without loosing feeling in our toes! When it’s cold out and you want to create family images, bring your high energy so we can squeeze it into a smaller time slot. You will leave satisfied with gorgeous photographs in a shorter amount of time.

Collaborate.

My goal is to always make you feel your best in front of the lens. Show me your favorite photos for inspiration. If you have a certain pose or scenery stuck in your head, send it to me, and ask about creating something similar. I am always happy to discuss color schemes, what is the right print, the right lighting and time of day to start a session, and what outfits photograph best. When you hire me, know that I am more than happy to plan with you.

Tips for Your Engagement Session.

You have a beautiful ring on your finger and a partner you want to say “I do” to, but where do you go from here? There’s magic in the Wedding day. That day feels sacred and has a certain magnitude to it, regardless if you elope or find yourself in a big Wedding Hall. We are familiar with the trends and the takeaways from the big day, but engagement shoots are something you might be overlooking.

Feel Relaxed.

There is a clear and distinct energy shift when its just the two of you. When you show up to your engagement session, you can purely enjoy yourself without the pressures of an audience of friends and family. A Wedding is a beautiful event but it is rarely secluded and without stress. On your engagement session, its just the two of you! Remember to make it about your connection. Although you might have some expectations (maybe you are using these for Save The Dates), the more natural and at ease you are, the more these pictures will look and feel like you. So let yourself enjoy the moment and enjoy the process.

Be Creative.

You can make the session tailored to you and your personality. There are not many limitations when it comes to the overall vibe or theme of your shoot. You can get inventive with your interests, hobbies, and maybe even a parody. A couple once sent Save The Dates dressed as Jim and Pam from the office. They had the stapler engulfed in jello as their prop. It was a nod to their favorite Television show and showcased their lighter side. You can go in whichever direction you’d like but keeping a piece of yourselves that is unique to the both of you makes the shoot more meaningful. Whether its hiking, painting, or fast cars that interest you, bring those ideas to your photographer and make it a part of your shoot!

Your Timing.

There is room for flexibility. If you are a morning person who would like their shoot done and out of the way, there is the ability to work with the rising sun and first light. If you like to sleep in, golden hour is awaiting you at the end of the day. Engagement shoots can be as long or as short as you’d like. You have control over how your time is spent. At Weddings, I find that the photographs can be rushed and possibly taken at inopportune parts of the day for lighting. You can really take advantage of your own time table to have unique and beautiful images.

Ideal Location.

Pick a place that either wows you, makes you feel comfortable, or has a special meaning to you. When I wanted to do a self portrait of my partner and I for our engagement shoot, I wanted to excite. We drove up to the ADK and went to the top of a mountain for some epic pictures. This might sound like you or be wildly out of your comfort zone. Thats ok! What is important is that you have your priorities and your goals in mind. Choose what speaks to you and then, ask your photographer for their locations and advise. Often times, clients come to me with a set location, and if they were up to some recommendations, they could have more options for interesting and beautiful captures.

Weather is Unpredictable.

Things don’t always go as planned; the secret is, that’s usually where the magic is! When things don’t align perfectly as you envisioned, it might lead to something dramatic and interesting on camera. So many people have their mind set on a perfect sunny day when, in contrast to that, a cloudy misty day would really add dimension and mood to the vibe of the shoot. If your set date happens to have overcast at the beach, odds are there will be less people at the beach to worry about. You could have more privacy and more options that way! Good weather and “bad” weather offer many opportunities, its up to you whether you can make the best of it.

Remember, at the end of it all, it is about you and your partner. I am here to capture your love, energy and excitement. Its always my interest to make photographs that feel genuine to you.