Before the session:
What should we wear?
1
Think about the landscape we'll be standing in. Earthy tones, neutrals and soft colours sit beautifully against mountains and water. Anything with movement — flowy fabric, a skirt, a long coat — always photographs well.
Most important: wear something you feel like yourself in. If you're tugging at it all evening, it'll show.
A few season notes:
Summer — Bring a light layer. It cools down fast once the sun drops behind the peaks.
Winter — Wool coats, scarves, hats and gloves aren't a compromise, they're the look. Snow boots too. Half the time your feet aren't in frame, and you'll last much longer.
Spring & Fall — A jacket you don't mind having in photos, because you'll probably want it.
For shoes: comfortable to walk in, waterproof if there's been rain or snow. Bring the pretty pair to change into if you like.
Where do we meet?
2
Once we've confirmed the location, I'll send you a pin and a parking spot a few days ahead. Most of my favourite places — Cascade Ponds, Two Jack Lake, Johnson Lake — have proper parking lots, so it's easy. We meet at the car and walk in together.
One thing worth doing: screenshot the map and my number before you leave town. Cell service in the park is patchy, and you may lose signal well before you arrive.
Aim to be there 5–10 minutes early. Not for me — for you. Golden hour doesn't wait, and it's a much nicer start if you're not rushing.
Can we change outfits?
3
You can, with one honest heads-up: there are no changing rooms out here.
In practice that means your car, or occasionally a park washroom that is… functional. Most people bring a second look that's easy to swap — a different jacket, a shawl, a second dress.
If you're happy in one outfit, that's genuinely the smoother choice. Every change costs us light.
What if it rains on the day?
4
We probably still shoot.
Light rain and low cloud make some of my favourite images — moody, soft, and nothing like everyone else's Banff photos. Umbrellas are welcome and look good.
I'll message you the morning of with a read on the weather. If it's truly unworkable — heavy rain, a storm, no visibility — we'll move it, and that costs you nothing.
Mountain weather changes by the hour. More often than not, we just wait twenty minutes.
What should we bring?
5
Keep it light. A small tote or backpack is plenty.
Water
One more layer than you think you need
Comfortable shoes to walk in
Rain jacket or a compact umbrella
Winter: hand warmers, and a thermos if you're feeling organised
Anything meaningful you'd like in the photos — a ring box, a letter, your dog's favourite toy
That's it. I'll have bear spray, tissues, and a bluetooth speaker if you want music.
How cold is it, really? (winter sessions)
6
Cold. Let's be honest about it.
Here's how we handle it: we shoot in blocks of 10–15 minutes, then back to the car to warm up. That's not the session going badly, that's the plan. It's how we get relaxed faces instead of clenched ones.
Coats and boots stay on between takes. Hand warmers in your pockets are a small miracle. And winter light here stays soft all day, so we're never racing a sunset the way we are in summer.
You'll be fine. People are always surprised how fine.