Reasons to Book a Winter Family Photo Session
The Summer and Fall months are always the busiest months for outdoor photo sessions. Most families prefer images captured in the golden glow of Summer, but Winter is also a great time of year to consider photos. Booking a snowy winter family photo session here in New York can be a great way to capture special memories of your loved ones in a beautiful and unique setting during what can be a magical time of year.
Here are some reasons why you might consider it:
Winter Has Magical Light
This may come as a surprise to most many people, but the light at sunset is always special in the Winter. Light is softer during the winter months. If there is now on the ground, it will serve as a reflector and give your images a bright and gorgeous glow. Snowy day sessions also create beautiful Winter wonderland scenes that are simply magical.
Sunsets Are Early
Family sessions are scheduled at sunset. In the Summer, this means the start time can be as late as 7:30pm, depending on the date. This time of day is typically a challenge for families with young children. The beauty of a Winter photo session is that sunset sessions take place around 4 pm, which means that kids are primed and ready to go. The session takes place after a nap and way before bedtime.
Unique Settings
If you are looking for something different from the typical beach or park family photos, a snowy winter session on Long Island, NY can offer a unique and special experience. The snow and winter scenery can provide a unique setting that can make your family photos stand out and offers a type of magical backdrop you can’t get with grass. Plus, if it is a snowy day, you will get the added bonus of a beautiful and magical Winter wonderland as your backdrop.
Fun For the Whole Family
A snowy winter photo session can also be a fun and memorable experience for the whole family. Whether you're making snow angels, having a snowball fight, or just enjoying the scenery together, the session can be a bonding experience that you will all remember for years to come.
Contrast
Winter can be a great time for high contrast photos. The stark, shimmery white of snow can create an interesting contrast with darker subjects, especially when wearing pops of color.
Fewer Crowds
Winter can be a slower season for photography, meaning there are fewer crowds to compete with when it comes to getting that perfect shot. Plus, fewer people in the shot can create a more serene and peaceful feeling.
Sessions Are Shorter
Many times because of the weather, Winter photo sessions are shorter. Ideally with little ones and depending on the temperature, Winter family sessions are 30-45 minutes in length. It all depends on the family’s tolerance to cold weather. As we all know, an uncomfortable child is an unhappy one, so we gauge the time based on the child’s mood.
Styling
Warm tones warm everything up, I love rich burgandy, deep golds and emerald greens in the winter. Those pops of colors paired with earth or neutral tones will create beautiful and balanced images in a Winter setting. The key to a successful session is dressing properly.
The key to a successful session is dressing properly
Layers, layers, and more layers. You can alwasy remove layers if you are too warm.
Vests, knitted chunky sweaters, hats, scarfs, everything helps. See these accessories as an opportunity to add texture to the family wardrobe!
Chances are that jackets will be ON during SOME portraits. That means that the color of the jackets matters. Make sure you LOVE the jackets, if your kids are TOO cold and you're battling to get the coats OFF, it will go downhill. Plan for jackets ON and if it gets warm enough for kids to take them off, even better!
Boots. It's totally OK if you want everyone wearing leather boots (I understand! I'm the same way, shoes do show up in the photo), yet bring the SNOW boots with you. If the walk is long to the final location, have everyone make the expedition with warm feet. You can change them when the photoshoot is about to begin. OR if your tribe is full of happy winter troopers, leave the snow boots/extra pair of shoes in the car and change them as soon as the kids get back in the car, chances are their feet will be very cold by then.
Gloves are key. Bring them with you, even if they're neon pink! Everyone can take them off quickly and put them in a pocket just in time for pictures. But it will be key to get those minutes of warm hands in between, they give the boost of warmth needed to go on happily.
Sweaters are your best friends. Find one that you KNOW it's very warm and build your outfit around it. With a VERY warm sweater, you can go for a skirt or even a dress.
You're not tied to jeans/pants for winter family photos. Why? because you can wear mid-weight base layer pants/tights under your long skirt. If you're wearing boots no one will tell :)