Outdoor Family Sessions during a Tennessee winter – Is It Too Cold?

 

I get this question All. The. Time. Is it just TOO COLD in Middle Tennessee for winter outdoor family photography? Does this sound like something you’ve asked or thought?

“I really want outdoor photographs of my family – but it’s SO cold! How do you handle this?”

“I want to photograph this time in my family’s life – but this time of year is just so dreary and I’m worried it won’t look good.”

“Do people do sessions this time of year?”

“Do winter sessions even look pretty? Everything is brown and dead!”

Alright one question at a time…let me put your mind at ease when it comes to taking family pictures in late fall or winter.

1. Winter is cold. It’s true! This is where it’s so important to carefully choose WHO your photographer is. Choose someone who knows how to style for any season (cozy knit blankets and beautiful winter greenery anyone?). Choose someone who is going to help you select your wardrobe to make sure you’re warm but also stunning (read – not in a parka).  You want that perfect dress with spaghetti straps? Make sure your photographer is going to help you choose how to layer that dress perfectly to keep you warm or wrap you and your babies up in a fluffy knit blanket to showcase your dream dress and capture the coziness of the season. Choose someone who can work quickly to capture all of your beautiful images before everyone gets TOO cold. 30 or 45 minute sessions provide PLENTY of time to photography all the beautiful details of your family WITHOUT giving anyone frostbite.
2. Dreary? It can be. But I’m your photographer remember! I’m an EXPERT! Trust that I’ll make what you see as “dreary” into the most stunning, dramatically beautiful backdrop you’ve ever seen! I’ll take those clouds and those shadows and use them to create contrast and moodiness and emotion-invoking images. Promise.
3. Do people do sessions this time of year? OF COURSE! Both indoor AND outdoor. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t have the outdoor maternity session you’ve been daydreaming about.
4. Um yes. Winter sessions are S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G. Arguably my favorite. See those photographs on pinterest of golden fields. Those photographs with all those stunning neutral tones that highlight the PEOPLE in the portraits and compliment them beautifully? Winter means all the greenery has died off and you’re left with GOLD. My heart is honestly stolen by winter outdoor family photography.

Final Answer – Winter is PERFECT for Outdoor Family Sessions