Happy Winter Solstice
Notes from the shortest day of the year
I had something else in mind for this week’s post.
But yesterday, an email landed in my inbox with the subject line:
Happy Stick Season.
The photographer was referring to the time between fall foliage and snow.
That familiar in-between.
But we already have snow on the ground here.
And today is the first day of winter.
So instead, it got me thinking about the landscape outside my window right now.
I’ve written about winter landscape photography before, but it felt worth returning to today.
Not to say much.
Just a few thoughts, and a few photographs.
This weekend marked the beginning of winter.
The winter solstice.
Sunday was shortest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere.
Stick season sits right in that space.
After the leaves fall.
Before the snow fully settles in.
The in-between.
My Relationship with Winter
It’s been a cycle.
When I was a kid, I absolutely loved winter.
Building snow forts. Sliding down hills.
There was nothing better.
My mom would tell me it was time to come inside, and through chattering teeth I’d insist I wasn’t even cold yet.
As an adult, that changed.
Plowing the driveway and shovelling snow.
Driving to work in snowstorms.
Watching winter turn into a chore.
The season
became something that drained energy, both physically and emotionally.
Most years, I couldn’t wait for spring.
As a Landscape Photographer
In the last few years, I’ve become much more serious about my landscape photography.
I have gear that handles cold and damp conditions a little better.
And I’ve developed an appreciation for what winter strips away.
This time of year leans naturally toward monochrome and minimalism.
Fewer distractions.
More structure.
Winter makes it easier to see shape, balance, and space.
Winter Is Here
So winter is here.
Yesterday marked the shortest day of the year.
And while I still don’t tolerate the cold the way I did when I was a kid, I find myself looking forward to snow on the ground.
While I was photographing fall leaves, a small part of me was already anticipating their absence.
Waiting for what would be revealed once they were gone.
So dress warm.
Put spare batteries in a warm pocket.
And get out there.
Notice the shapes the wind makes as it sculpts snowdrifts.
Notice the patterns forming in the ice.
Stop and study old, weathered trees now that their branches are no longer hidden.
Enjoy what remains when the ground is covered with snow.
Happy Stick Season, everybody.
✅ Where to Find Me
You can find more of my work on the web at: Simmons Photography
If you want to work with me, or inquire about licensing images: Contact Page
More of my work can be seen on Vero and Flickr.