We've all been there...
... whether your little one is due in the winter months, a birthday falls in gloomy January, or you absolutely hate to sweat, a winter shoot actually may be in your best interest. Hear me out: it doesn't need to be as daunting as it seems. In this January post, I'll walk you through a couple of ways that you can prepare for a shoot in the winter - all the way from choosing a location to what you can wear on the day of.
picking a location
It can be one of the hardest steps in the process for a session no matter the time of year, so what the heck do you do for the grey, gloomy winter months? Before anything else, we have to consider color. Not only does it feel like it's forever cloudy in winter, but much of the nature is dead, brown, and dry. As somebody who loves shooting in nature (hello greens), I have to be really intentional about where to shoot in the winter. I tend to scope out locations that have some evergreen trees, like pines, to help give me some pops of color in contrast with all of the brown. It may also be a good option to choose locations with creeks or lakes, or potentially somewhere with extra elements like fences, stone walls, steps, etc. This can make the nature seem a bit less noticeable. Of course, you can also help your subjects dress in a way that will bring in some more color to the images as well, but we'll get to that soon.
Another option can be switching it up and trying something a bit more urban. Cities, towns, architecture, etc. don't change with the weather. This can be a great time to try doing your session in a city near you, or even somewhere like a museum, town building, or something that would give you fun walls, stairs, or columns as a back drop.
Because of the time of year, you can also consider setting a "theme" or "activity" within your photoshoot to really make it unique. If you love Christmas, consider bringing some fun props, shooting in a location with decorations or a tree to set the winter tone. If you're looking for your photos to be non-Christmas themed, consider grabbing some coffee or going to the local café for your shoot. All of these can most importantly help keep you warm, but also provide you with photos that truly show the mood, temperature, and season you're in.
Here, I leveraged some pine trees to bring in some of those greens that I love. Bonus: Taylor wore a dress in an earth tone that flows beautifully with the details in the scenery. It can actually be fun to pull out a color that exists in the backdrop, or try one that's completely contrasting for an extra pop. This totally depends on the feel you're looking for in the images: is it more important that you really stand out against your backdrop, or that you look completely immersed in the environment you're shooting in?
For this shoot, I was able to switch it up from a typical nature-heavy location and grab some fun shots downtown. Not only did these two dress warm and cozy, but we also scoped some lovely brick walls, twinkle lights, alleyways, and cute cafés downtown. You would have never known it was a cloudy, chilly day. This location was perfect for them and the weather.
This is a great example of having a Christmas theme in your session - it's not too overdone, but just enough for you to know exactly what time of year this is. Giving your photoshoot a theme can bring different colors, props, and backdrops into your gallery. It totally does not need to be Christmas, but this just shows how those little subtleties can transform the feeling. I love the personality these types of sessions bring out, plus it's stinkin' cold - have some fun!
location suggestions for winter sessions
lehigh valley & surrounding areas (pennsylvania):
- Downtown Bethlehem - Bethlehem, PA
- Monocacy Park - Bethlehem, PA
- Johnston Mansion - Bethlehem, PA
- Lockridge Park - Alburtis, PA
- Lehigh University - Bethlehem, PA
- Philadelphia, PA (museums, downtown, etc.)
- Simon Silk Mill - Easton, PA
thurmont & surrounding areas (maryland):
- Fort Ritchie - Cascade, MD
- Gamrbill Mill - Frederick, MD
- Renfrew Park - Waynesboro, PA
- Downtown Frederick - Frederick, MD
- Devil's Den - Gettysburg, PA
- Rainbow Lake - Emmitsburg, MD
- Loy's Station Park - Thurmont, MD
outfit suggestions
Just like choosing a location for your session, picking and coordinating outfits can be just as difficult. Again, the winter makes this 10x harder! Not only do you want to look your best, but you also want to be comfortable and warm during the shoot itself.
Because of my shooting and editing style, I always recommend earth tones: browns, blues, greens, and maybe some warmer colors like burnt orange, dark reds, and maroons. The most important thing to try and avoid is washing out with the muted colors of winter. Locations and outfits go in tandem - you want to work with the location you choose.
Side note before jumping in: I could write an entire blog post about outfit coordinating for your shoots. This is definitely a general overview specific to winter shoots. If you are interested in more when it comes to coordinating, whether that be palettes, clothing options, accessories, etc. please reach out on the inquiry page and I can provide you with a detailed guide!
out in nature
If you are shooting outdoors in the winter with browns, muted greens, etc. it is best to try for a contrasting color - a baby blue, reds or maroons, or even a pink. If you like to stick with neutrals (tan, black, grey), maybe consider a pop of color in an accessory like a scarf, hat, or boots. That being said, winter can be a fantastic time for white if that's your style too - but NOT if you're shooting in the snow, of course! I also typically don't recommend wearing many patterns, but if you are hoping to, winter is the perfect time to do so. This will definitely help you pop in your images and the patterns won't clash with any bright, natural colors in your backdrop this time of year.
urban setting
On the other hand, shooting in urban settings can pose some different recommendations. Blacks, navy blues, purples, and dark colors are surprisingly great for these types of locations. Typically, architecture may be lighter in color - whites, tans, cement-like tones, and so on (imagine the color of a sidewalk). Because of this, it's better for you to wear a darker color that may help you pop against some of these backdrops. Even bringing in a fun coat, gloves, or purse could really enhance the environment in your shoot, especially in giving you cozy, walking-in-the-city type vibes!
theme/activity
Lastly, when doing a themed shoot, you want to match your style and outfit more so to the activity itself rather than the actual location. For example, a Christmas theme may result in reds and greens, or maybe neutral solids with some pops of red and green in your accessories. Maybe you are lucky enough to get your shoot in the snow - consider wearing a color that will truly pop against white: purple, pink, red, or even black if you want a neutral route. Even playing with different fabric types like velvet, fur, or suede can really pull out some winter vibes. Another bonus - warmth!
making it fun
I feel that touching on themed photoshoots is especially important for winter sessions. Rather than getting stuck thinking about how cold it is, you can plan to do something fun during your session to keep yourself from shivering, but it will also bring your photos a super unique touch.
pick an activity
This can be as simple as going on a small hike, or something as specific as going sledding, tubing, or even skiing! Many places also have ice skating rinks (even outdoors) during this time of year. Whether there's snow or not, think about how you and your family, partner, etc. have fun during the winter. Do you like to go to the local ski resort? Would you rather stay warm inside your local coffee shop? Maybe you just like to cozy up on the couch. We can turn that into your next photoshoot and again, it shows so much personality throughout your gallery. I'm always happy to tag along for a night out!
incorporate props
Props can be a great aid in creating a theme or feel in your session. As I mentioned before, if Christmas is a theme you'd enjoy, there are endless props you can include: trees, red and green accessories, decorations, ornaments, candy canes, and so on. You can even do your shoot at a Christmas Tree Farm! Aside from Christmas, it can be fun to include mugs, scarves, or other cozy winter items to heighten the feel of winter in your images. Options are endless!
go on a trip
This is essentially taking "picking an activity" to the next level. As many of you know, I am always willing to travel for a photoshoot. This could be as simple as a 30 minute road trip up the mountain, or a weekend getaway where you're either searching for a more snowy town or potentially trying to escape the cold. Either way, I'm always willing to show up for a shoot. Think about if there's a cute town nearby that's decorated well for winter, or maybe there's an area that gets more snow. Close or far, it's always fun to explore a new place!
weather
We all tend to associate winter with snow - it's inevitable. However, we all know the snow in this area can be completely unpredictable. We may have a winter where we get several feet of snow, and then the next year we get next to nothing. Although I am always down for a last minute snow photoshoot if we know it's coming, there are so many ways to give your photoshoot a winter feel without having the pretty white backgrounds. Being intentional about props and accessories can still give that feel, even wearing something as simple as a cozy beanie. Take that a step further and shoot at a location that potentially has ice skating, wintery decorations, etc. Weather is always unpredictable, and when it doesn't work in our favor, we can always go down other avenues to give the exact same chilly, winter feel as you would get with the snow.
wrappin' up
For so many people, scheduling your photoshoot in the winter can be daunting and potentially even disappointing. You certainly don't have the same vibrant colors as you do in the warmer months, but there are endless ways to make your shoot fun and unique. I hope this little post helped you feel a little more comfortable if you end up having (or choosing) to book a winter session. If you have questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to fill out my inquiry form or shoot me an email (both are linked below). Looking forward to spending some time with you on your next chilly night out!
♡ Kylie
