I always encourage my couples to make their engagement sessions fun and to plan for something special. You’re going to be engaged for such a short period of time, so you might as well spend it having lots of fun together! When it comes to doing something unique and special, what can be better than going to a winter wonderland and getting your engagement photos taken in front of the mountains, surrounded by pines and snow?

That said, the prospect can be pretty daunting. After all, if there’s one thing you can’t control in life, it’s the weather. But don’t let that stop you from having a fairytale-worthy winter engagement shoot!

 

1. Stay Warm and Cozy

Make sure both of you bring warm jackets, gloves, and most importantly, comfy boots with thick socks! I also recommend bringing some backup socks in case your first pair gets wet. In my experience, traipsing through the snow has that effect. You want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible so that you can be yourself in the photos!

2. Pack Some Snacks

It’s #2 on my list because I’m just all about food and I believe that it’s what makes people happy. But seriously, people tend to get tired and hungry much faster when it’s cold outside and their bodies are using up energy just to stay warm. A lot of wintery locations near Seattle are pretty remote, so don’t bank on finding a store along the way!

I would also recommend bringing a thermos of hot tea or coffee. If you’re working with me, my famous homemade lemon-ginger-tea comes with the deal 😉

3. Keep An Eye on the Weather

If you’re going to the mountains, make sure to check the weather reports from that area. You should also look up accessibility information for the location you have your eye on. I learned that from my husband, since he’s the outdoorsy one in my family, and he always makes sure that the place he wants to go to is safe and accessible. It’s more relevant for high-altitude areas, but still, you should always know what the conditions are like and if there is an avalanche warning. All the snacks and warm socks in the world can’t fix that!

Also, sometimes parking lots are closed due to the snow, so be sure to look for parking info in any trip reports you find. It’s something you don’t often think of, but you’ll be thankful you looked into it by the time the day arrives.

4. Invest In (Or Rent) Some Snowshoes

Hey, if you live in or near Seattle, you may have a pair of these anyway! But if you’re not typically the outdoorsy type, you can easily rent a few pairs from REI if you don’t want to buy them. You’ll find information about accessibility by foot in your trip reports and they should let you know if you’ll need snowshoes. There’s nothing worse than seeing a gorgeous location that’s out of reach because you don’t have the right footwear.

5. A Little Tip From My Mom

When you get back home, take a warm bath and drink some hot tea. It’ll help your body recover from the chill, and let’s be real. Who doesn’t love an excuse to have a warm soak after an adventure?

Bonus Tip: Have fun and cherish your time together! Sure, you want your images to turn out great and that can be stressful, but trust me. Genuine happiness shines through in photos. Let me worry about the technical stuff so you can have an incredible time.