​Photographers all know that winter is considered our "slow season." Clients love to their outdoor photoshoots, and once the temperature drops many are deterred from getting their pictures taken.  I'm here to tell you why I think winter is actually the perfect time for photos!

First, while winter obviously means colder weather, it does not me less beautiful landscape. Outside photos can still be beautiful in cold weather! Sunrise and sunset are the best times to have your photos taken, and these hours are usually referred to as the "magic" or "golden" hours for pictures. Did you know it is scientifically proven that sunsets and sunrises are more amazing in the winter season? (Something to do with pollution and air quality that is difficult for me to explain but you can read about by clicking HERE. ) Also guys, snow is BEAUTIFUL and makes for gorgeous photos like this maternity one I captured!


​If you hire a good photographer, (i.e., ME lol), they will be prepared to keep your comfortable in the cooler temperatures as well. I always bring hand warmers and blankets for my clients. Also, I try to shoot photos as quickly as possible to try and get you out of the cold while also capturing beautiful shots. 

Second, everyone and their mom takes outdoor photos, especially for engagement, or senior photos. While I love this style of a shoot, I also enjoy the opportunity to be more creative. Winter gives me as the photographer and you as the client the opportunity to take some more unique photos indoors. I'm a lifestyle photographer which means I want to photograph you living your life! I love capturing clients in their "natural habitats" or being their authentic selves. Let me come to you and photograph you just being yourself and having fun indoors! Below I have listed some alternative  and creative places to take photos in the winter months. 

1. YOUR HOME : I think that at your house is one of the best places to take photos! Newborn photos are always great for this because you usually have a nursery set up and everything you need for your child there. Home is not just a great location for baby photos though, and it can be used for engagement photos and family photos! Seriously, just search Pinterest for either of these, and you will see a ton of examples. You and your loved ones are the most relaxed at your own home too so it takes a lot of of the pressure off of posing or feeling unnatural in photos. 

2. A COFFEESHOP OR PUB: I think a coffeeshop is such a cute location for engagement photos! If you're a coffee lover like me what could be better than cozying up with your love over a warm latte? Or perhaps you could go to your favorite bar or pub and while you two sip on your favorite beer and cocktails we snap some adorable photos! Just you guys hanging out in your natural element!

3. ICESKATING: Winter is the only time you have the opportunity to ice skate outside. Knoxville has such a cute ice skating rink set up in Market Square during the winter months. This is a great location not only for engagement photos, but also family photos. It's a great way to showcase your family having fun!

4. BOWLING: On the note of your family having fun, Knoxville has a great, more modern bowling alley downtown.  Why not capture your family doing something all together or your friends all having drinks and goofing off? This or a pizza place would be especially great for a group of friends who are seniors in high school. 

Another great photoshoot location is an art museum, which usually has excellent lighting. Also, I think just wandering around through an antique shop would make for some unique and cute photos. It is all about what you like to do and what feels natural to you!

​Do you like to hike? Do you enjoy playing arcades? Perhaps you just have fun cozying up on the couch watching old movies! Let me capture you and your loved ones where you feel happiest! Just because it is cold outside does not mean you have to give up on having family, engagement, senior or any type of photos made! With the right photographer, (again ME, LOL!), you can capture just as gorgeous photos in the winter months as you would in any other season! 

OMG! I just finished editing one of the most gorgeous maternity sessions. We shot in a park near Farragut and in a random field from about 3:30-5:30 pm, when the sun set, which always makes for beautiful lighting. It of course helps that my model is so pretty too!

When I first spoke to Carrie about her maternity session we had discusses more of a winter themed shoot. Tennessee weather never likes to cooperate, and she is due in three weeks so we had to make do. I had really been wishing for snow, but alas, I had to add it in photoshop later instead. It was kind of cool for me to practice this style of editing more and be able to see the photos in two seasons. In the photos below I edited both winter and summer/spring styles. They were both shot in the same exact place but just look at the differences!

When editing most of the park photos I was going for more of a fairy/fairytale style. I added more sunlight, softened many of the features and used a heavy blur.  The field photos I just wanted to  show more of my natural photography style. Fortunately, Carrie was open to both of my ideas!

I am just so in love with all these photos so I have to share most of them. Below are a few collages of my favorites! Let me know what you guys think! 

Also, if you are wanting a photoshoot in the winter, don't be deterred by the cold weather because we can still capture some beautiful shots! And remember, if there is no snow, I can always add it in! 

The maternity gown she wore was so beautiful so I wanted to make sure I captured in all in some photos! I also wanted to get some photos that were more "bump-focused". 

Of course, we also had to take some of the more typical maternity photos using props! Her daughter is to be named Parker so that is what the "P" stands for! I know it is such a cute letter so some of you may be wondering where I got it. It actually belongs to her mother-in-law and is an antique.

And I'm going to end on these photos because I just think she look so beautiful in them! 

I hope you guys enjoyed these! If you live in East Tennessee make sure to keep me in mind for your maternity photo needs!

This year was my first ever doing Christmas mini-sessions. Mini-sessions are really popular around the holidays so I was really excited! The experience actually taught me a lot. I had never photographed a larger family so it was my first time posing a big group. At first I was intimidated, obviously researching ideas on Pinterest (haha, but we all do it), but once I was actually there with the family it was super easy to pose them. 

It was also much colder outside than I was expecting it to be, and the younger kids were not having it! Kids are already more difficult to pose because they do not like to sit still, but add factors like uncomfortable Christmas outfits and forty degree weather and you got yourself a real challenge! I love working with children though, and I have a two year old so it does not bother me at all when kids are running around. I just had to be patient, and we ended up with some really cute photos! 

Another thing I had not really thought of when coming up with my mini-session idea was how much of an investment it would take from me! I had never realized how expensive props are or just how many I would need. Next year I would love to do the Christmas minis on a Christmas Tree field/farm. If you all know of any around Knoxville that would be open to this please let me know! Also, while I like the props I used this year, I definitely want to have more next year. What would you guys like to see more of and/or props would you want in your shoot?  Make sure to comment below. 

Thanks to everyone who came out for the mini-sessions! I hope to see you all next year! Scroll down to see some more of my favorites!