Three Reasons to Schedule Your Family Photo Session in the Winter // Delaware, Ohio documentary family photographers
Stay at home - you don’t need shoes :)
Because fall is crazy, end of story. Ha! Seriously though, fall is such a busy season for all of us, not just photographers. As a documentary family photographer in Delaware, Ohio, and a fellow mom, I know that with fall comes school, sports and other extra-curricular activities, plenty of fall festivities which roll right into the holiday season, keeping track of endless social obligations, holiday parties, gift-giving, etc. It can all feel like a bit too much, amiright?
Around the first week of December I begin dreaming about January and February, when I’ll be able to have time for myself again, tackle my low-pressure to-do list and projects I’ve been dreaming about throughout fall, and get my house back in order.
Winter is a time for reconnecting with my family, and spending lazy weekend days snuggling on the couch reading books or baking yummy treats together in the kitchen. It’s when I finally print last year’s photos in an album I make each January, with extras for hanging on the wall.
If you were too busy in the fall to book your family photography session, let me tell you why winter is a great time to go ahead and get it done:
Winter is every family photographer’s slowest season.
What does this mean for you? Two important things: more flexibility in scheduling and your photographer will be chomping at the bit to get out and create meaningful art for you and your family. I create some of my best work in the winter; it’s when I take classes, work on personal projects, dream up better ways to serve my clients, and generally feel calmer and more present.
2. It’s cheaper.
Many documentary family photographers (myself included) offer special packages just for winter sessions that are significantly less-expensive than their typical offerings. Most of my sessions are held at clients’ homes, so it doesn’t really matter what season we’re in. But because winter can be so much slower than other times of year, I typically offer a dollar-amount off of a regular session, or create a special “half session” offering that is only available January-March. I HIGHLY recommend getting on your favorite photographer’s email list (you can subscribe to mine below) in order to get first dibs on these offers.
3. It’s a good time for YOU.
How do you feel after the new year? If you’re anything like me you feel more relaxed, grounded, more connected with your family, living a slower-paced life and ready to cozy up with your loved ones. Why not document your family during a time when you naturally feel more relaxed and can devote more energy to the process? It can also be something to look forward to when the days feel so short and dreary (don’t worry, I’ll bring a flash to brighten things up if the sun doesn’t cooperate).
Wondering what we’ll do together during a winter session?
Well, that really depends on your family and what’s important to you. I make sure to get to know you prior to the session, so I can learn about your family dynamic and create a documentary family photography session that captures your family’s unique spirit. It could be waking up and making breakfast, cozying up with hot cocoa and a book, wrestling on the bed, having a dance party, or can even include playing in the snow or strolling through your neighborhood. There are no hard and fast rules, other than to be yourselves and do something that brings you joy and makes you feel more connected.
It’s so much easier for your pets to be included when you stay at home
