How to plan for an outdoor photography session in the colder months.
I hear you, why would you have an outdoor photography session in those colder months;
With those darker mornings and evenings, often overcast days with some or little harsh winter sun, wet and windy spells, mist and frost, snow and sleet, not the inviting descriptions you were hoping for, RIGHT! But these months can be beautiful and such a perfect time to embrace the countryside here in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire or further afield, for your outdoor photography session. With a little careful planning those colder months could be just the setting you didn’t know you were looking for. Let me tell you why...
As the sun rises later and sets earlier, we have a smaller but more perfectly formed window to capture within. This means that on those sunnier days your outdoor photography session can be timed to capture either the morning sun as it rises and drifts into the mid morning or the afternoon sun as it then begins to drop and set for the evening. Okay, wait, I will admit the winter sun can be a little harsh, even though it is a much needed warmth in the colder months. For this reason alone, this is why your outdoor photography session will be scheduled for either the morning or afternoon to allow for this very reason. However, with that said, some of my absolute favourite locations here in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire or further afield, offer an array of beautiful canopy cover that can deepen the shadows and allow for sunshine to be cast in such a way not seen in the warmer months. Whilst those sunnier days are often fewer and far between in the colder months, those more frequent overcast days should not be overlooked. Think of them as a beautiful white backdrop for your outdoor photography session, allowing you to explore anywhere and everywhere here in the beautiful countryside of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire.
I’ll be honest, those overcast days will not cast similar shadows without the harsh sun, and the suns warmth will not be felt against your skin during your outdoor photography session, but overcast days can be hugely emotive, deepening the shadows beyond, allowing your story to be told in such a way that is authentic to you and to this time of year only. Those overcast days do offer greater freedom as to where you can explore, greater scope to the locations that can be used here in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and the timing of your outdoor photography session can be looser as the middle of the day can also be embraced!
Now we have mentioned why you should embrace an outdoor photography session, lets talk about how...
So, all types of photography sessions can happen in the colder months, it is only newborn photography sessions that I will often suggest on those very much colder days that we embrace the indoors with an in-home photography session; however, maternity photography sessions, baby photography sessions, motherhood photography sessions and family photography sessions can still happen, with beautiful outcomes.
Let’s say, Mama, you have been dreaming of an outdoor maternity photography session, a session that embraces your beautiful bump, the connection between you and your bump or you, your partner and bump, moving freely within and around nature, standing amongst swathes of fabric from the hem of your dress catching flight in the wind, those earthy tones surrounding and embracing you ~ then I am here to tell you that not only am I your photographer for those dreams and desires but all of that is possible. Glance back to where I say move freely, because that is exactly how we achieve an outdoor photography session ~ MOVEMENT and lots of it. By moving freely, you’re not only keeping yourself warmer, but you will also lose the fear of standing in front of the camera. It’s like a win, win scenario! With that movement comes narrative, emotion, storytelling, connection and that much needed warmth. But fear not at this point, when you are perhaps reading this thinking that I’m going to have you dancing all around the place (I’m not), but I will be encouraging gentle movement, whether it is just you or you with your partner, the movement will be guided so that I can capture beautiful moments within your outdoor maternity photography session. The same is true for a baby photography session, motherhood photography session or family photography session, add movement and you add warmth, connection, storytelling and emotion.
I will admit that along with all that movement, I also come prepared with plenty of blankets tucked under my arms, a stool to avoid any sitting on the floor as those blankets will be busy offering warmth and I always remember to pack some of those handy hand warming pouches for you and also for me during your outdoor photography session. We will often capture so many beautiful moments within your outdoor photography session and often within a shorter space of time, due to all of the free flowing movement, which ultimately means that we spend less time outdoors, in the cold. One final preparation I have for your outdoor photography session is how you arrive to and from your session. Along with a full digital session guide that you receive ahead of your photography session, I will generally advise what to wear upon arriving to your outdoor photography session. So, big overcoats, thick socks, oversized layers, gloves and hat, if it’s been a wet one, I suggest wearing wellies to the location. These handy tricks are more for the MAMA’s who are embracing the client closet, but I do suggest for all other outdoor photography sessions to layer, rather than wear any BIG coats! It is those big coats that will only get in the way of your beautiful moments within an outdoor photography session.
So if your ready, let’s explore the great outdoors together.