Tips for Winter Photos
Winter transforms the world into a magical, snow-dusted wonderland, offering endless opportunities for breathtaking photography!! From sparkling frost-covered landscapes to cozy moments by the fire, the season brings a unique charm that begs to be captured.
Photographing in winter comes with its challenges—not least of which is freezing temperatures! In this article, we’re sharing essential tips to help you make the most of your winter photography sessions, so you can create stunning images while staying warm and keeping your gear safe. Grab your gloves, bundle up, and dive into the frosty world of winter photography!
Image by Liebenfoto
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr and Quest Tools 05 - Snowfall
Prep for the Cold
Look, even a “warm” winter day can start feeling chilly as the sun gets lower or wind picks up! Don’t choose style over functionality— prepare for the cold and give your clients or models some pointers, too!
Image by Mike Meller
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr and Quest Tools 05 - Snowfall
Image by Lauren Alexandra Photography
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr
Hand Warmers - This is a new tip for me— hand warmers slipped into the palm or top of your gloves help keep your hands and fingers from FREEZING while holding your camera in chilly weather! If your clients are wearing gloves or have pockets, give a pair to them, too. I promise they will love you forever if you keep their hands warm! They also sell toe warmers that stick onto the top of your socks— not as hot as the hand warmers, but they keep your toes from getting icy!
Add a Blanket - Get your subjects to cuddle up under a blanket for cozy photos! Bonus points if it’s a bright color that stands out in the winter landscape or a seasonal pop of cheery patterns!
Keep Your Batteries Warm - Cold drains batteries fast, so keep your spare batteries in your pocket close to your body to keep them warm!
Image by Foggy Stories
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr
When in Doubt, Go Inside - Sometimes, it’s just too darn cold. If you or your subjects are at risk, move your session indoors. Try to get a glimpse of the winter wonderland out of a window, or use doorways cleverly to frame your subjects inside while you stand out in the cold! 🥶
Image by Gabrielle Desmarchais
Edited with Quest 22 Glacial
Overcast Skies Are Your Friend
First of all, overcast skies are like… the perfect light conditions for flawless portraits! Your clients don’t have to squint, you don’t have to worry about where the sun is to line up your compositions… yeah, can you tell I’m a fan?! Cloudy skies create even lighting, minimizing harsh shadows and avoiding unwanted light flares.
Image by Lauren Alexandra Photography
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr
Overcast skies also mean a higher likelihood of snow! Or at least, it’ll look more like snowy weather and you can add it in Lightroom later!
Image by Matt Pocknell Photography
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr and Quest Tools 05 - Snowfall
Play With Negative Space
Wintery landscapes lend themselves to getting creative with your compositions! The blankness of snow-covered landscapes can create minimalist and dramatic compositions.
Image by Mariah Arianna
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr and Quest Tools 05 - Snowfall
Image by Mariola Zoladz
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr and Quest Tools 05 - Snowfall
Use the sky or a barren foreground to frame your subjects in creative ways.
Frame your subject with bare branches or trees to add interesting compositional elements!
Image by Lydia Harper
Edited with Quest 43 Llŷr and Quest Tools 05 - Snowfall
Don’t forget to take care of yourself and your gear after your session!
Wipe off your gear immediately if it got covered in snow or fogged up between warm and cold environments!
Check your extremities for cold damage like frostbite and replace any wet or damp clothing with dry clothes to keep warm.
If you’re on location, be mindful of potential traffic or weather-related road conditions before and after your session and act accordingly. Make sure your car is topped off on gas, and have an extra blanket, winter clothes, water, and food in case of a road emergency in cold weather!
What are your fave winter photo tips? Tell us in the comments!