Tis the season! At least, in Calgary, tis the unpredictable season. If you're looking for photos in November or December in Calgary, this might mean photos shot in +10c, and it might mean photos shot in -40c. Choose your own adventure!
If you're looking for snowy adventure inspired photography, then you've come to the right place. I love bundling up and finding new places to shoot. Some of my favourite shoots over the years have been snowy mountain photos, cozy ice skating photos, and playful snowball fights! (click here for info on hourly sessions - engagement, family, maternity, etc!)
Here are some of my favourite winter shoot locations, starting within the City of Calgary:
1. Fish Creek Park:
For families, or extremely cold days, Fish Creek is a go-to. The west end of the park has more evergreen trees, and feels a bit like Kananaskis, without actually having to drive there. It is easily accessible, and the roads leading in are well maintained. Fish creek gets my top vote because it checks all of the boxes for young families, and clients who have less layers in their wardrobe:
-access roads are easily accessible & maintained
-within cell service
-washrooms on site
-wooden bridges
-open field
-ice caves
-parking lot is easily accessible, if warmup breaks are needed
-each location has multiple angles and setup options. You don't want the same backdrop for all of your photos, so being able to walk and set up different shots adds versatility, without wasting session time travelling between locations.
(send me a nudge here if you're wanting to shoot here!).
2. Confederation Park:
Confederation park is probably my second favourite winter shooting location. In the winter months, there is outdoor skating, with firepits. This location is open enough to catch beautiful golden light at sunset, and yet still has enough trees to give it a "winter in nature" feel. Think: hot chocolate, ice skating, and cozy rosy cheeks.
-access roads are easily accessible & maintained
-within cell service
-parking lot is easily accessible, if warmup breaks are needed
-each location has multiple angles and setup options.
-inner city location
-ice skating
-wooden bridges
3. Pearce Estate Park:
A less crowded park during the winter months, with a mix of both open "field" type shots, and also trees. In the summer months, there is a waterfall, during the winter months, this spot is a bit quieter. If you're willing to walk about 5min in, the Bow Passage overlook is in interesting space to shoot, with Stairs, and wrought iron arches.
-access roads are easily accessible & maintained
-within cell service
-wooden bridges
-dog / pet friendly shooting location
-wooden bridges
-waterfall
-inner city location
-easily accessible from downtown or deerfoot
4. Bowness Park:
Bowness is also another favourite in the wintertime. Typically I do not recommend Bowness or Baker Park in the summer time, because both parks tend to have fewer trees, and more visitors. (This increases the likelihood of having a "bogie" - someone walking through the background of your shot and appearing in your photo). In the winter months, however, Bowness park becomes a bit magical, especially around Christmas time / the Holidays.
-skating lagoon
-access roads are easily accessible & maintained
-within cell service
-washrooms on site
-warmup location on site (with coffee!)
-fire pits
-each location has multiple angles and setup options.
5. Eau Claire:
Eau Claire is typically the last location in Calgary to still have fall leaves. (Every year, I get emails asking, "what location still has fall leaves?". If we're late in the season, then Eau Claire is usually the last call for fall. I do also recommend Eau Claire and Princes Island park in the winter, as it is sheltered by downtown and from the wind. This makes it a bit kinder to those who don't like cold harsh wind in their photos. Once all the leaves have fallen, Eau Claire and Princes Island park still have a Vibrant feel, because the colours from the Peace Bridge and the Skyline serve as a hued backdrop.
-access roads are easily accessible & maintained
-within cell service
-colourful, even in winter
-easily accessible from downtown
-wooden bridges
6. Glenmore Park, Weaselhead:
I'm lumping these three locations together, because these are my favourite "water" locations. I'm originally from the maritimes, and understand that some clients want photo locations close to a beach or with a lake backdrop, without leaving the city. North Glenmore Park, South Glenmore Park, and the Weaselhead are all locations that Feature the water. Note: for all of these locations, please dress for the weather! Shooting next to a large open body of water can feel colder! (See my upcoming blog on winter gear that helps you to stay warm during shoots!)
- access roads are easily accessible & maintained
-within cell service
-colourful, even in winter
-easily accessible from downtown
-wooden bridges
-beach photos in Calgary
-mountain view (from Weaselhead)
Up next: Indoor Photo locations in Calgary!