Top 6 Ways to Make Winter Sessions a Success | Syracuse Family Photographer
Winter family sessions can be tough on anyone, but there are definitely ways to make these amazing sessions fun and ensure they go smoothly. I've compiled a list of 10 tips and tricks to make the most of your session and showcase how truly beautiful a winter session can be.
1. Dress warm
The best way to ensure everyone is as comfortable as possible is to dress in layers and don't be afraid to wear alllll the accessories! When you think of planning a family session, you almost always plan a color scheme or new outfits to fit what you're envisioning. It's the same with winter sessions. Did you find an amazing coat that could be a statement piece? What about the cutest hats for the whole family? If it snows, think about adding snow boots. These winter accessories will allow you to really participate in the environment!
2. Bring a Hot Drink
How sweet would it be if you're taking a walk with your partner and sipping your hot cocoa in the park? You can make it a date and have authentic photos of your loved ones showcasing something you enjoy doing together. Aside from being an adorable prop, it will definitely warm you up from the inside out! Think of all the cute ways you can incorporate your favorite mugs or support your local coffee shop.
3. Keep the Car Running
I've had newborn sessions outside as well as older adults that couldn't handle the cold for a long period of time, so they kept the car running to warm up in during a break. Once everyone gets a little warmer, we kept shooting! This is perfect if baby or your kiddos need a break or snack. It makes the session a little longer, but you’re less miserable with getting a warm break halfway through!
4. Bring Hand and Foot Warmers
I absolutely love these little pockets of goodness and offer them to all my clients. It's amazing how much better you can feel about being in the cold temperatures if you have these in your pockets to stay warm. Make sure you put some in your pockets and in your shoes to really feel the warm goodness! My clients Jacalyn and Matthew made sure to put them in Matthew's jacket pockets because her dress wouldn't hid them. It made for such cute snuggly photos while they shared the hand warmers! See their images here.
5. Get Moving
During our session, I’ll have different prompts and actions to do so that you're always moving and keeping your body active. This is keep you warmer than standing around and giving yourself time to remember how cold you are. Distraction is key!
6. Go Inside
If you have the space, you can shoot indoors and never have to worry about what the weather is doing or if your little ones will be able to handle the cold weather. There are so many options if you’d like to stay indoors that can really speak to who you are and what’s important to you. Here, you can read more about how to prepare for your maternity session in the studio! Think about an indoor lifestyle session in your own home. You kiddos will feel more comfortable in their own environment and traveling isn’t necessary! Into architecture? What about finding a hotel or state building that will provide interesting backdrops for your session? Have a love of reading? I’ve always wanted to photograph inside a library! No matter what your interests, we can come up with an interesting way to tell your story and express what’s most important to you!
