If you know me, you know that I am not a winter person. Most years, I’m firmly in the “hibernate until Spring” camp. This year though I might have to put on my thermal wear and go for it. And if you ask me to, I’ll do it - but only as long as I get to capture your family pictures in winter along the way.

So if you want a family portrait taken this winter, here’s a few ways we can create your winter family portrait, and whole lot of beautiful, candid pictures too.

1) Sledding and hot cocoa:

Grab your sleds, and your kids and head to the nearest sledding hill. Then enjoy the moments and happy smiling faces. Along the way bundle close together with your cute hot cocoa mugs for a winter family portrait.

2) Snowball fights, snow forts, and snow angels:

We’ve had this spontaneously happen at winter family portraits in Rochester. It is a lot of fun.

3) Take a hike:

Just because there’s no leaves on the trees, doesn’t mean your favorite trail to hike with the family is ugly now. We can find a beautiful backdrop just about anywhere if we look hard enough.

4) Ice skating:

And there’s even an outdoor ice skating rink we could visit at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park/Manhattan Square Park! Can you see the laughter as you hold onto each other for dear life in your pictures? Because I can, and the moment is fantastic.

Speaking of which, we’ll be there next week for a candid mini session event!

5) Have a backyard campfire:

Do you have a fire pit? Is it useable in the winter? It’ll make your family pictures feel more special! Sure you’ll have to bundle up a little, but some adorable winter coats can make great outfit choices!

So anyway, just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean we have to stop playing outside. It definitely doesn’t have to stop your family pictures. We just have to get a bit more creative and adventurous!

I’ve got my long underwear ready, so let’s go!