Because Cold Weather Doesn’t Mean Cold Photos
Here’s the thing about winter engagement sessions in Omaha—they’re actually magical. While everyone else is waiting for spring, you get frosty mornings, cozy indoor backdrops, and holiday lights that make everything look like a movie scene. Plus, let’s be real, bundling up together makes for some pretty adorable moments.
If you’re planning your engagement session this winter, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Omaha locations that work beautifully when temperatures drop.
Lauritzen Gardens’ Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory
Let’s start with the ultimate winter cheat code: a tropical escape that’s 80 degrees year-round. The conservatory is this stunning glass greenhouse filled with lush tropical plants, vibrant greenery, and beautiful water features—basically the opposite of Nebraska winter.
What I love about shooting here: the space includes tropical and temperate plant sections, giving you variety in one location. The natural light filtering through the glass is absolutely gorgeous, and you can stay warm throughout your session. If you want some outdoor photos in the rest of the garden, get bundled in your winter coats for outdoor shots. Lauritzen Gardens is the perfect place to get a little of everything for your winter engagement.
Joslyn Art Museum
Can we talk about this place for a second? The Joslyn now spans three distinct yet connected buildings, each representing a different architectural era.
What makes this incredible for winter engagement photos: you get three completely different architectural styles in one location. The Art Deco glamour of the original building, Foster’s modern elegance, and Snøhetta’s contemporary design with its cloud-like curves and natural light. Plus, the museum’s three-acre sculpture gardens feature winding paths with native plants and 22 sculptures, giving you both indoor and outdoor options.
Best part? If you book a session at the art museum, you get private access to the entire museum property, making it intimate and romantic as you explore the beautiful, art-filled museum.
Hotel Deco
If you’re into vintage glamour, Hotel Deco is the spot. This Art Deco landmark features 1930s sophistication blended with modern amenities, and the interior is absolutely stunning for photos. Think elegant lobby spaces, beautiful architectural details, and rooms that look like they belong in a classic film.
It’s steps away from the Old Market, so you can do indoor shots at the hotel and then venture outside for those twinkling holiday lights.
Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
This modern hotel anchors the Capitol District and features sleek, engaging design. The contemporary aesthetic works beautifully for couples who want a more minimalist, sophisticated look. The Jewell, a speakeasy-style jazz club is a beautiful location inside the hotel to add some sophistication to your engagement.
Plus, it’s located in the heart of downtown with easy access to other photo locations.
Restaurants as Backdrops
Memoir
Memoir isn’t just for dinner—it’s a photographer’s dream. The restaurant features an open floor plan with a stunning bar and 1920s Hollywood-inspired décor. The interior blends Old World charm with contemporary chic, featuring burnished gold, emerald tones, and graceful arches.
The intimate, sophisticated atmosphere creates romantic photos that feel timeless. (And honestly, grabbing a cocktail after your session here isn’t the worst idea.)
I always love discovering new restaurants with my couples as well, so if you have a spot you love, we can explore the options for setting up a session!
The Durham Museum
Housed in Omaha’s historic Union Station, the Durham Museum is considered one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the country. The grand main hall and restored train cars provide incredible backdrops that feel both nostalgic and elegant.
The building opened in 1931 and includes an authentic soda fountain, which is such a cute, romantic spot for photos. The warm tones and architectural details photograph beautifully, especially when you’re trying to escape the cold.
Holiday Lights: Old Market & Downtown
Old Market & Gene Leahy Mall at the RiverFront
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the Old Market’s brick-paved streets are lit with thousands of twinkling lights, festive greenery, and other holiday touches. The display spans several blocks with white lights, garland, and dazzling snowflakes illuminating the brick streets and historic architecture.
The combination of historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and all those lights creates such a romantic atmosphere. Plus, you can warm up in one of the nearby cafes between shots.
The RiverFront features traditional white tree lights and large ornaments throughout the park. The modern architecture looks fantastic in any weather and gives you a completely different look than the Old Market—more contemporary and architectural.
When to go: The lights are up from late November through early January, so you have a pretty good window. Evening shoots here are especially magical.
Tree Farms for that Cozy Winter Feel
Nordstrom’s Christmas Tree Farm
Want photos surrounded by evergreens and cuddled up in a vintage truck or dancing under holiday lights? Nordstrom’s Tree Farm offers rows of Christmas trees for beautiful, natural framing in photos. And if you time it right during their opening weekend, the farm offers free hot chocolate and tractor wagon rides—which could make for some fun, candid shots.
OPPD Arboretum
Located at 108th and Blondo, the OPPD Arboretum spans 26 acres and features a variety of trees. In winter, the evergreens and varied tree bark create beautiful texture and color even on the grayest days.
The walking paths, natural settings, and mature trees provide gorgeous backdrops without feeling overly staged. The arboretum is open dawn to dusk and free to visit, making it an easy, accessible option.
Making Winter Sessions Work
A few things I’ve learned about winter engagement sessions:
Timing is everything. Late afternoon gives you that soft, golden winter light. With the sun setting so early, the golden-hour light usually shows up in the late afternoon. If you want those holiday lights to show up, plan for dusk or evening.
Layer up. Bring coats, scarves, and gloves that you love—they can become part of the photos. We can always do some shots without them, but staying warm between takes is key.
Embrace the season. Frost, bare trees, and even snowflakes can make your photos more unique and memorable than the standard green-grass-blue-sky combo everyone else will have.
Winter engagement sessions in Omaha have a charm all their own. Whether you’re going for cozy and nostalgic, modern and sleek, or full-on holiday magic, these locations will give you photos you’ll treasure long after you’ve forgotten how cold your toes were.
Ready to brave the cold and create something beautiful? Let’s make it happen. ❄️✨
