With all the snow we’ve gotten lately, I’ve done a little shooting outside during the weather! It’s made me think a lot about why more clients should have their sessions in the winter! Here are my top four!
1) The opportunity for SNOW in your portraits!!
In Virginia, we don’t typically get a lot of snow! Although, I think all the snow in this winter season is a major anomaly! So if you are lucky enough to catch some down here it’s a really unique backdrop for your portrait session!
I photographed John & Bridget’s engagement session in downtown Lynchburg on the Blackwater Creek trail and we just happened to find a little bit of snow left for their session!
For Kaleigh & Austin’s winter mini session we held out until the snow fell last week just so that we could have that beautiful white blanketed ground! The falling snow made for a dreamy backdrop for the two of them!
Perhaps you are an avid winter athlete or lover of a winter sport? Snow and winter is the perfect opportunity to showcase your passion for a particular sport or hobby! I would love to photograph someone who would like to incorporate their love for a winter activity! Skiers, hockey players, figure skaters, snowboarders, snowshoe-ers, whatever you love to do that involves snow or winter – let’s photograph it!
This lady is member of the Liberty University Figure Skating team!
A big BONUS for photographers – snow is a perfect natural reflector! The white bounces the light right back up towards the face and fills in things like dark circles and brightens up eyes and skin!
2) You can show off fantastic winter outfits!
Obviously it’s chillier out and we want you to be as comfortable as possible when shooting! So – layers, layers, layers! The colder weather is the perfect time to show off a great sweater and boot combination! Israel & Brianna’s engagement session was photographed in February of last year near the Awareness Garden on Blackwater Creek Bikeway and their outfits were great for colder weather!
If you have a winter coat or other cold weather accessories like gloves, hats, or scarves, show them off too! In Lynchburg, the winter season usually means bare trees as a natural backdrop so incorporating brighter colors into your session wardrobe will really pop in the images!
Even a cozy blanket isn’t out of place in the winter!
3) Take advantage of the holiday season occurring during the winter season!
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day are just some of the main holidays that fall during the winter months! If Christmas is your favorite holiday, perhaps you would like to photograph with beautiful twinkling lights or Christmas trees as a backdrop. What about New Year’s Eve? I’d love to do a fantastic 1920’s themed New Year’s Eve session! Any takers!
In 2013, I photographed a gorgeous bridal session during a heavy snowstorm that had a bit of a Christmas/Little Red Riding Hood type of theme! It was really a fantastic session and Jackie did a really stellar job of modeling even though it was cold and snowy!
Jessica & Jeremy wanted to celebrate their anniversary and have a family Christmas image at the same time! The weather was perfect and the sunset was beautiful and golden! Isn’t their little fur baby adorable in his winter outfits!?
4) The characteristics of the winter season that are beneficial to photography!
The change in winter light is great for photographing during winter months! During the winter, the sun’s path through the sky is closer to the horizon which means that the natural light is softer. This means less harsh shadows and beautiful filtered sunlight through the atmosphere!
Also, the sun rises later and sun sets earlier during winter days so morning sessions need not be at literally the crack of dawn and no need to wait til 7 PM for that gorgeous golden hour light! You can shoot at 4 PM and still be able to go out on the town that evening!
If winter is the perfect season for your senior session, engagement or portrait session, or wedding – let’s get in touch!
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