We waited three months for snow this winter to shoot Megan and John’s pittsburgh winter engagement session. It was the fourth and final installment of their four season engagement series that began last spring in Washington DC at the Cherry Blossom Festival. After rescheduling many times, either because there was no snow, or because the windchill was below zero, we decided to take the last week of winter and make it work! Our plan was to revisit the site where Johnny proposed in front of the Hard Rock Cafe Christmas tree in Station Square. Since the trees were already down, we explored the nearby Smithfield Street bridge. I loved the way Megan’s red peacoat looked with the blue bridge supports! Don’t let their comfortable smiles fool you, it was FREEZING!
Just when we thought we were going to succumb to hypothermia, we discovered a campfire burning outside of Bar Louie and stopped to warm up!
After a dash across town to pittsburgh’s north side, (and two failed parallel parking attempts later), we made it to Allegheny Landing for some shots with the city’s night lights. The frostbite was worth it!
Just a few months now and we will hopefully be enjoying warm spring weather and lots of flowers at their wedding in May!
Tips for being photographed in cold weather (and surviving a Pittsburgh winter engagement session!):
- Dress to be outside! That means coats, scarves, boots, gloves – not only will you be more comfortable (which makes you good looking), you’ll also look like you fit into the environment better! Coat-less outfits look awkward in the snow.
- Plan to stay close to the car or near buildings where you can duck in and out for quick breaks to warm up. No one wants to look like rudolph in their photos!
- Limit your locations and outfits. Let’s face it, it’s just more challenging to get things done when you’re fighting the elements! Instead of three pairs of pants or skirts, plan to keep the same base layers on and just change things up with accessories or swapping for a different coat.
- Hot chocolate. Or a Starbucks run!
- If you can’t get indoors to warm up, carry hand warmers in your pockets to keep your fingers from going numb AND you can cup your hands around your face with the hand warmer to blow warmed air onto your cheeks and nose to fight off redness!
