a man and woman standing in the woods for a winter session
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Cozy Traverse City Winter Session | Shannon & Matt

Shannon and Matt’s winter session in Traverse City was everything you hope for when you come home to northern Michigan—snow-covered trails, crisp air that wakes you up, and the kind of quiet that only winter can bring.

These two met eight years ago through a mutual friend, and they’ve been together ever since. There’s an ease about them, the kind that doesn’t need much fanfare or fluff. They’re originally from this area—Matt grew up near Frankfort, Shannon in Traverse City—but life and work have them living down in Indianapolis these days. Still, when it came time to document this season of their life, they knew they wanted to be back up north.

Traverse City didn’t disappoint. We had that soft, perfect snow—the kind that clings to branches and turns everything into a postcard. For a winter session in Traverse City, you couldn’t ask for a better setup. We walked through a quiet wooded trail, with fresh snow underfoot, and just soaked it all in. No pressure, no posing—just them, being themselves, laughing, warming each other’s hands, and probably wondering why they didn’t bring thicker gloves.

The thing about winter sessions is that they tend to strip things down. You’re not distracted by vibrant colors or busy surroundings. It’s just the people, the landscape, and the connection between them. Shannon and Matt leaned into that simplicity, and it made for some really honest, heartfelt images. The cold didn’t faze them—they were too caught up in the moment.

They’re planning their wedding here in northern Michigan, surrounded by their closest friends and family. That’s what matters most to them—not the details, not the decorations—but being fully present with the people they love and marking the moment in a place that feels like home.

This Traverse City winter session was the start of that celebration. And if this day was any indication, their wedding is going to be full of warmth, laughter, and memories that stick.

  • winter session in Traverse City
  • a man and woman holding hands walking on a wooden path near water winter session
  • a couple standing on stairs winter session
  • a woman laughing with her hand on her chest
  • a man and woman smiling
  • a man and woman holding hands walking up stairs in the woods
  • a man and woman holding hands in the snow
  • a man and woman smiling in the woods
  • a man and woman hugging in the snow
  • a woman on a man's back
  • a woman carrying a man in the woods
  • a man and woman laughing in the woods
  • a man and woman laughing in the snow
  • a man and woman standing in the woods for a winter session
  • a man and woman holding hands on a bridge
  • a man and woman standing together
  • a man and woman with their eyes closed
  • a man and woman standing next to a fence
  • Winter Session in Traverse City

Want to create your own unforgettable moments in northern Michigan? Get in touch today, and let’s make your love story come to life!