You step outside and immediately it feels as though you were transported to the North Pole. You see your breath, your nose turns bright red as you begin to sniffle, your body begins to quiver as you fold your arms to try and keep the warmth from escaping. Fighting the urge to turn around and go back inside, you feel a fleck of snow fall to your nose. Looking up, it’s as though powdered sugar is falling from the sky. Without even realizing it, your hands are stretched to the sky, your tongue is sticking out, and your making your way to the open, twirling as you go. The magical scene makes you forget that you set foot into a freezer, and all you can feel is: Joy.

Welcome to a Utah Winter.

Most people would cringe at the idea of a snowy Utah winter family photo session up in the mountains, without coats and snow boots, and potentially getting snow inside your shoes. But not the Johnsons. As a family full of adventurers, rock climbers, and soccer players, they saw the challenge as an opportunity. It was freezing and never once did I hear someone complain! But that’s just the Johnsons for you. They are strong people.

I met Jamie about 6 years ago while living in the Seattle area. I had never been a runner, but when a friend asked if I wanted to run a half marathon with her, without thinking I said yes! It was one of the hardest things I had ever done! I couldn’t even run a mile when I started! But I did it. And then I did something even crazier. I started training for a marathon.

Jamie is an incredible athlete. She grew up a gymnast, she’s now an avid rock climber, and has a long history of running. And without her, I’m not sure I would have made it through training for my marathon! The longer the runs got, the harder it was to mentally push through them. Jamie was amazing and she would join me for the last 6-7 miles of my really long runs, helping me over that final hump.

And her girls…. I just love them. While living in Washington, their soccer team needed a last minute soccer coach and somehow I got roped in. I’ve coached several teams since theirs, but I haven’t loved any of them the same. Those girls hold such a special place in my heart! I’ll never forget the feelings of joy and excitement, lacing up my cleats and grabbing a ball, to run out on the field to teach these girls how to play my favorite sport.

They were just little girls then.

Now they’re all growing up and just so dang beautiful!!! Watch out world!!

It was so fun for me to get to spend some time with some people that I love so much during this snowy Utah winter family photo session. They are some of my favorite people! And I’m so glad they trusted me when I asked them to stand in some mildly deep, unpacked snow for their family photos up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Playing in the snow can be so much fun, even if it’s cold!! For more winter photo inspiration, check out this fun couples session! There’s also so much to do up Big Cottonwood Canyon, even during the winter! We saw so many people snow shoeing, sledding, cross country skiing, and not to mention the ski resorts! If you want to know some different opportunities for recreation up there, click here!

If you are looking for a family photographer for your snowy Utah winter photos, I would love to talk to you! Fill out my contact form and let me know more about what you want to plan!