Snowy Utah Engagement and Wedding Portraits: The Winter Storm Waitlist
Dreaming of Snowy Winter Photos in Utah? Welcome to the Winter Storm Waitlist.
Utah winter weather is famously unpredictable — one day it’s a winter wonderland, and the next it’s half-melted snow and overcast skies throughout Utah Valley. Instead of booking your winter engagement photos or wedding portraits for a fixed date months in advance and hoping for the best, this year I created the Winter Storm Waitlist.
This is for couples who REALLY want those perfect snowy photos, and are willing to wait and be a little bit flexible with their session date in order to make it happen!
Ready for Perfect Snowy Photos?
Spots are strictly limited to ensure priority scheduling for every incoming storm system.
Join the Winter Storm Waitlist (Secures your priority spot with retainer & contract)
Choose Your Session Type
Both session options are available for engagement photos and wedding portraits.
- Falling Snow Sessions: Exactly what they sound like — a downright romantic session while snow is actively falling all around you. These can take place in the morning, midday, or early afternoon.
- Bluebird Sessions: Named for what my dad always called those sparkling powder days on the mountain when the sun breaks through right after a storm and everything is flocked in fresh white snow. These sessions take place around sunrise the morning after a storm.
How it works:
Join the Waitlist: Choose your deadline, select your official backup plan, and sign your contract with retainer.
Get Ready: We’ll select potential locations, discuss safety/canyon travel plans, and coordinate your winter wardrobe.
We Wait: I’ll keep a close eye on the weather forecasts and snow models in your target area.
Storm’s Coming! As a storm approaches, I’ll reach out to the couple at the top of the list.
Can’t Make It? Let me know as soon as possible. You keep your place at the top of the line, and I’ll reach out to the next couple on the standby list.
Pricing & How to Join
Joining the waitlist is simple and holds your priority spot for the season.
Session Pricing:
- Engagement Sessions: $500
- Wedding Portraits: $650
How Payment Works:
To Secure Your Spot: A $150 non-refundable retainer and signed contract reserve your place on the waitlist. Your retainer goes directly toward your total session price!
Remaining Balance: The remaining balance is due once your storm session date is officially confirmed.
Join the Winter Storm Waitlist Now
What if it doesn’t snow before our deadline?
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’re still 100% covered. When you sign up, you’ll select your preferred backup plan so that you end up with photos you love no matter what.
Option 1: Choose a Curated Backup Location
These spots are specifically chosen for winter and look great even without a flake of snow on the ground:
Utah County
- The Shops at Riverwoods
- Downtown Provo & Historic Courthouse Block
- Utah Lake Ice Stacks (February only, conditions permitting)
Salt Lake County
- The Utah State Capitol
- The Thomas S. Monson Center
- Downtown SLC & City Creek (City Creek lights available through early January)
- La Caille
Further Away & Epic Landscapes
- Bonneville Salt Flats
- The Great Saltair
- Little Sahara Sand Dunes
- Antelope Island
Option 2: Apply Your Retainer to a Future Session
Transfer your retainer credit toward any future session within 12 months — including spring blooms, summer mountain sessions, or your wedding day coverage (applied toward the current pricing at the time of booking).
How long can we wait?
You’ll choose your own end date, up to the day Sundance closes for the season. (est. April 1st) If you need photos by a specific date (for invitations, save-the-dates, or wedding prints) I recommend setting your waitlist deadline at least 6 weeks prior to allow time for gallery delivery, editing, and printing. My normal gallery turnaround is 31 days, and a one-week expedited gallery is also available.
What to Expect by Month
Every winter along the Wasatch Front is unique, but here is how a typical season plays out:
- Late November: The waitlist opens around the time Utah’s ski resorts open! Early storms are mostly mountain events, making this the ideal time to get on the list and get your plan in place.
- December: Snow builds at higher elevations, so sessions typically happen in the canyons or near resort bases.
- January & February: Peak winter! A deeper mountain base and colder temperatures give us the most location flexibility. Valley snow sessions become much more likely, and February is when the Utah Lake Ice Stacks can appear.
- March & April: Late spring storms bring heavy, wet snow that creates gorgeously flocked trees (though it melts fast!). The waitlist officially closes for the season when Sundance closes for ski season (typically around April 1st).
Waiting, Scheduling & Policy FAQ
How much notice will we get?
Usually a few days to a week, depending on the storm. You’ll hear from me in three phases:
- Heads Up: A storm system is tracking toward us, and you’re at the top of the list.
- Tentative Schedule: As forecasts solidify, we’ll start to finalize our location and timing.
- Go / No-Go: Final confirmation based on real-time road conditions and weather reports.
How fast do we need to reply?
Within 4-8 hours, depending on the type of session. (Bluebird sessions typically have more notice, since they’re at the end of the storm!) For sudden storms, I’ll notify the next couple on standby while waiting to hear back from you.
What if we aren’t available when it’s our turn for a snowstorm?
You’ll keep your place in line, I’ll reach out to the next couple on the list, and you’ll get first pick next time. There’s no limit on how many storms you can pass on (but eventually it will be spring!)
Do we need to be free on weekdays or at sunrise?
You don’t have to be completely available, but the more flexible your schedule is, the better your odds are of getting a great snowy session! Weekday sunrises are prime time for Bluebird sessions. Falling Snow sessions are more available and can be morning, mid-day, or early afternoon. Occasionally a storm lines up with a Saturday!
What is the cancellation or no-show policy?
My standard no-show policy applies. Because snow sessions are scheduled on short notice based on real-time weather windows, last-minute cancellations or no-shows after confirming availability are non-refundable.
Meet your (snow-obsessed) photographer
Hello!! I’m Sarah. When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll often find me hitting the slopes, enjoying a cup of Mexican hot chocolate (with extra whipped cream), or snuggling my kids with a book by our fireplace. I love winter and LOVE snow sessions. I built the Winter Storm Waitlist because I wanted to be able to capture more of the romance of winter engagements. My husband and I got engaged in the winter, and were married by the end of February — spring sessions were never in the cards for us, and nothing like this existed to give us the option to wait for the perfect snowstorm before doing our photos. I am so so excited to bring this new kind of winter session to life, and to help you capture this season of your relationship in all its snowy glory.
Ready to Catch the Storm?
Join the Winter Storm Waitlist
