Let’s face it. There aren’t many of us who are willing to brave the cold and do a winter photoshoot, especially when you live in Winnipeg. Unless I am skating or at Festival, I usually stop voluntarily going outside around the same time I have to start ‘command-starting’ my car — early. 

If you and your significant other are wanting to do a shoot but too afraid to brave January wind, consider cozying up from the comfort of your home and bringing the photographer to you. I know what you might be thinking, we’re in the house everyday, it would be nice to have our photos somewhere else. I get that. I totally do. But if you’re shy or nervous about getting your photos done, what better place to be than the place you’re most comfortable in? When the two of you are looking at these photos in 65 years, don’t you think it would be so cool to be reminded of what apartment/home you were living in then, remember what your kitchen looked like, or see your fur babies again? 

Are you starting to consider shooting in your humble abode? Here’s a few more things I love about at-home couples photoshoots: 

 

No one is making you leave your pyjamas. 

The beautiful thing about staying home is that, if you don’t feel like leaving your comfy clothes, no one is making you. If you want to cuddle up in bed in your favourite pyjamas, matching sweatsuits, or an oversized t-shirt, do it. 

You can stay warm

Trust me, shooting in the winter months is no joke. Get ready for eyes tearing, hands bright red, noses running… all of our favourites. Staying home means staying warm, say no more. 

This is where you are most comfortable

Getting your photograph taken is not easy. It’s uncomfortable, awkward, and stiff to name a few. If you aren’t a natural in front of the camera (which most of us aren’t) then you might find comfort in being in your home. 

Your images are more personal

Time moves so quickly. What better way to capture a certain time in your life than doing the shoot (or a portion of it) from your own space. 

 

Now that you’re all convinced and ready to book your at-home photoshoots, here are some ideas:  

 

Cuddle up in bed

I don’t know about you, but I love my bed. I spend most of my work days counting down the hours until it’s an appropriate time to get cuddled up with a big mug of tea. If you love to cozy look, what better place to catch a couple sweet moments on camera. 

Pro tip: make your bed. Get your bed all nice and neatly done up, then jump on it! Get cuddled up on top of the bedding for a cleaner look. I would also recommend being mindful of your picture backdrops and clean the surrounding areas in your bedroom like your floors and nightstands. 

Grab your comfy clothes and get cuddled up.

Get heated in the kitchen 

Hear me out for a second. The kitchen isn’t only for cooking, it can also be a super cute backdrop for any at-home photo sessions!

Here are a couple ways you can shoot in your kitchen: 

1. Cook or bake together. Get ready to get extra sloppy and have flour EVERYWHERE. 
2. Sit on the floor with a glass of wine, cup of coffee, roll or joint, or whatever your go-to is. 
3. Get cozy on the counter tops. Have one of you sit on the counter tops and have your partner standing between your legs, facing frontwards for a cute wraparound hug and then turning around for a big bear hug.

 

 

Break out your favourite board game 

If you and your S.O. routinely play a favourite game of cards or board game, bring it out! Again, it’s so important to do what you guys regularly do. It might be a fun way to remember how you spent quiet evenings before human-babies, fur-babies, dirt-babies, or whatever you filled your home with. 

Pro-tip: Sit a lot closer than you normally would when playing this game. Lean your head on your partner’s shoulders, lean in for a smooch, throw a leg or two over your partner, or whatever you can do to get cozy and close.

 

Pillow Fight

This one is for those who aren’t afraid to make a MESS. 

Go out and find some super cheap down pillows that you’re okay living without (Walmart or Superstore are great options). Start the shoot with an easy pillow fight, no tears, black eyes, or throwing someone off the bed. Keep it light and playful, have fun with each other! 

When you’re ready to bump it up a notch, grab some scissors and make a few cuts along the bottom of the pillow case. Get both partners on the bed on your knees and start hitting the pillow into the other’s body, hard! You should be avoiding hitting your partners face to begin with (cause it’s a cheap shot) but you want to make sure you’re keeping the faces open and available for your photographer to capture the expressions of when the first pillow explodes and feathers go EVERYWHERE. 

 

Ready and inspired to bring your next photoshoot into your home?