A Valentine’s Photoshoot: Hearts, Snow, and Birds

Waiting for Snow

All winter long, I find myself checking the weather forecast, hoping for snow. Ironically, snow has done nothing but sneak up and surprise me this year. I must have been blinking or looking away at just the wrong time. Valentine’s Day is usually a quiet one for AzarÉl Greetings since it falls during our off-season. (Brian and I typically celebrate with a nice dinner out.) This year, though, the idea of creating a Valentine’s Day photoshoot felt fresh and motivating—and I was excited to see what winter and the birds would bring.

Gathering Greenery

Once the snow arrived, I pulled on my boots and bundled up to gather winter greens. I clipped both blue- and green-needled branches. I was also thrilled to discover a beautiful arborvitae-like bush with a brighter green color that photographed especially well. A few dainty pinecones were pulled from my prop stash.

For a pop of Valentine red, I relied on artificial berry accents. Our barberry bushes were full of berries, but their sharp spikes are something I prefer to avoid. All of the greenery was arranged on bricks of floral oasis, which kept everything securely in place. A light layer of snow easily hid the foam and kept the scene looking natural.

Fiesta Fun

When I first thought about Valentine’s Day props, I went searching for red among my collectibles and immediately landed on a vibrant red Fiesta Ware cup and saucer. The cheerful color felt perfect for a snowy scene.

Fiesta Ware has such a heartwarming history. Introduced by Joseph M. Wells Sr. during the Great Depression, it was designed to bring affordable joy and color into American homes. A dinner plate sold for about forty cents, making it an accessible alternative to expensive imported china. I only had one red cup, but pairing it with turquoise turned out to be a happy surprise—the contrast added energy and charm.

Those familiar with AzarÉl bird photography know the cup wasn’t actually holding hot chocolate. Inside was floral oasis that allowed me to pin the mini marshmallows in place. The top marshmallows were secured with a hot glue gun (and thankfully didn’t melt). Bird treats were layered on top.

This scene was photographed over two days. On January 17, the heavy snow in the morning made photography impossible. I was able to photograph the birds from early afternoon until 5:00 p.m. Two more hours of photography were done the next day with a total of 321 photos. While I selected just one Valentine image, many other birds stopped by, including snowbirds, downy woodpeckers, tufted titmice, red-bellied woodpeckers, and wrens.

Wine and Whimsy

Sometimes inspiration shows up when you stop looking in the usual places. In this case, it came from a pair of stemmed glasses tucked away in the dining room for years. These cut-glass cordial glasses, just five inches tall, turned out to be the perfect size for a Valentine scene—and for visiting birds. I’ve often used them with tea lights to add a touch of elegance to the table; but seeing them outdoors in the snow gave them a whole new personality.

Before setting them out, I paused. Would birds be put off by the smell of wine? Birds don’t smell the way humans do, but some species are attracted to sugary or fermented substances. Birds like cedar waxwings, robins, thrushes, and starlings naturally consume berries that ferment on the vine. According to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, cedar waxwings have even been observed acting “drunk” after eating fermented fruit.

In the end, the birds chose to come. The wine glasses became high perches for scanning the area, and the real food was hidden at the base behind small snowdrifts. On January 18 during three hours of photography I captured 456 images.

Time and Love

The final Valentine scene featured a vintage alarm clock—something I love using in AzarÉl photography because it references time so beautifully. I found this clock at a vintage shop years ago. At one point, it traveled with us to art and craft shows. Brian and I loved watching kids handle it! In a digital world full of plastic, there’s nothing quite like the weight of a metal alarm clock in your hands—or the satisfying click and whirr as you wind it up.

The greenery was repurposed from earlier scenes, with white twigs added to brighten the background. Together, the hearts and the alarm clock suggest that lasting love is built over time. I was delighted when a tufted titmouse perched right on one of the hearts. Sometimes metal is too slippery for perching; this little tufty was able to wrap his claws around it. This scene was photographed on January 19 from 9:30 a.m. until noon, resulting in 174 photos.

Celebrating Every Moment

This Valentine’s Day photoshoot reminded me how meaningful winter bird photography can be. Snow slows everything down and highlights the beauty of small details—greenery, vintage objects, and fleeting bird moments. Valentine’s Day cards from this series are now available online here. I’m grateful this once “off-season” holiday found a place in AzarÉl Greetings after all. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Postscript:

Hearts for Romance

Several scenes feature metal hearts made by our friends Beth and Butcher of Metal Illusions. They truly set the romantic tone for several of the Valentine’s photoshoots. Nestled among snow and winter greens, the hearts added just the right touch of love and warmth.

Beth and Butcher are a true mom-and-pop operation, fueled by creativity, hard work, and a whole lot of heart. They design all of their own garden art, from small plant stakes (like the ones featured in the photography) to larger flowerbed décor. Some of their designs are made using recycled utensils. Their work is beautifully crafted, reasonably priced, and always in high demand. Many folks collect their pieces to keep their gardens and flowerbeds colorful and full of personality throughout the year. If you’d like to learn more about them and their work, you can find additional details in our blog here.