How to Organize Your Winter Couple/Engagement Shoot in the Mountains
Would you like to have an engagement/couple shoot done in winter but believe it's just too cold or there's nothing interesting happening during these months? Let me show you an idea for a couple photoshoot that can be done in any mountains during winter.
The photos you see were taken in the Scottish Borders at the beginning of March!
Have a Vision and Look for Inspiration
If you envision wandering around a raw winter landscape, first create a mood board with some inspirations on Pinterest or Instagram. For example, if you dream about a winter couple shoot in Scotland, look for some favorite places you’d like to visit and potentially take photos in.
Find a Photographer in Scotland
There are photographers who will travel across the country to capture your special moments. I personally travel everywhere, combining it with my personal explorations. Whenever I go, I try to shoot there as I love exploring. You can find your photographer by searching hashtags on Instagram like #ScottishBordersPhotographer or #EdinburghPhotographer, looking on Google Maps under photographers, or joining local Facebook groups for recommendations.
Find Someone Who Shares Your Vision
Always look for a photographer who is a nature enthusiast and would love to follow you, take a hike with you, and be enthusiastic about your ideas. I like to believe that shoots closely combined with exploring the local area allow you to not only pose but also enjoy the place just by wandering around!
How to Make the Shoot More Interesting
- When it’s cold, and it usually is in winter, think about how you can warm yourself up. For example, build a fire by the lake! You can build a fire anywhere in Scotland. Bring some logs, a thermos with hot tea or coffee, mugs, gloves, warm hats, and blankets for a perfect photoshoot setup. There’s so much that can be done with just a few props.
- Remember to take hiking boots and dress warmly.
- Never underestimate the weather. If it’s 5 degrees in the city, expect 0 or below in the mountains.
- LED lights can be a great addition to a shoot when it’s getting dark!
Shooting in the cold can be challenging due to low temperatures, so sitting by a fire is a great idea not only to stay warm but to add variety to your photos!
During our shoot, we were lucky with the fire you see in the photos. A family who was about to leave the lake left it and said, "Feel free to warm yourself up!"
Plan Your Shoot Around Early Morning Hours or Late Afternoon
Early mornings are always magical! You can experience snow, fog, and peace by the lake. Usually, after a few hours, around noon, all that magic is gone, and you only experience wind!
Remember: A Mountain Shoot Doesn't Necessarily Mean Climbing/Hiking!
We were just driving around locations I had previously scouted, making stops along the way for photos. Between locations, we had a chance to warm up in the car.
If you are thinking about having a mountain shoot, get in touch!
Make sure to check my couple/engagement portfolio! There’s a whole gallery dedicated to shoots taken in the mountains. Also, if you’d like to read more about how to prepare for a mountain shoot, read my other blog post.
