6 Tips for a picture perfect winter photoshoot
You’ve booked a photoshoot with one of our amazing travel photographers and are off to a wintry destination. Now it’s time to get ready!
Whether you’re headed to the twinkling lights of Paris, a snowy forest in Bavaria, or basalt rock cliffs on Iceland, we’ll help get you prepped for your time in front of the camera and ensure you come away with gorgeous shots.
Here are six tips that will have you totally ready for your winter photoshoot!
1. Dress for the season
Yes, you want to look your best, but you also want to enjoy the experience, and nothing can dampen spirits quicker than wet feet and chattering teeth.
Think in terms of layers, while not bulking up too much. Insulate with t-shirts, long underwear and fleece-lined tights under jeans and tops. Layer collared shirts with sweaters, long boot socks with boots. And if you need to wear a jacket, incorporate it into the outfit!
If your shoot is in the city, leather boots or heels will probably be fine, but if you’re venturing into nature, invest in the right footwear, or consider bringing a set of snowboots to get you from photo op to photo op.
Winter is the ideal time to play with color. A black silhouette against white snow can be especially dramatic. In the city, pop with the jewel-tones of the season: garnet, sapphire, and emerald. Even an outfit of silvers and pale blues can be gorgeous against any wintry landscape.
If there is more than one of you in the photoshoot, try to coordinate your looks. You don’t have to match, but think complementary colors of the same value.
2. Accessorize
Winter is all about accessories, and in photography, accessories mean props!
Rainy day in London? Open up that rainbow umbrella and give it a twirl! Use those rain boots to splash through puddles.
Snow falling in Berlin? Pull out woolen hats, tweed caps, colorful scarves, and fingerless gloves! Play with the faux fur lining of your jacket.
Spending time outdoors? Have a thermos of cocoa, coffee, or tea on hand. The steam rising from a cup will add the perfect touch of cozy motion to the photographs and keep your hands warm.
Check if your hotel or Airbnb has a blanket or throw you can bring along. If there’s two of you in the shoot, this can create some cuddly photo ops. It’ll also keep you warm in between pics, especially if you want to shed layers for a few sleek, stylish shots.
And remember, every location will offer its own accessories. Winter carousels to play on, lights twinkling in the background, trees to climb in the woods, snow for snowmen and snow fights!
3. Think like a model
Think about the models and photographs that have captured our imagination over the years. When we thumb through a fashion magazine it’s often the expression, pose, and emotion that catch our attention more than the clothes!
Models know how to use their bodies and faces to make a picture pop. You can too!
If you’re bundled up on a wintry day, your face and eyes peeking out from your hat and scarf will tell the story. You don’t need to smile for every pose, just let your emotions shine through. Are you there with the love of your life? Let the affection and adoration sparkle in your eyes. Are you enchanted by the setting? Let your captivation show in your expressions.
As for your body, one photographer’s advice: “If it bends, bend it!” Bodies are interesting because they can do and express so much of who we are and what we’re feeling, from the slightest tilt of a head to a full-on cartwheel! Let your body express your joy at being alive in this wintry landscape. Jump, run, walk, hold hands, dance, and let your photographer capture it all.
4. Come Prepared
Unlike top models, we probably won’t have our own hair and makeup experts on hand. No problem! A handy makeup bag is all you need. This can be as simple as some lipstick or lipgloss, face powder, a few bobby pins, and a comb.
Remember that the camera plays down make-up, so don’t be afraid to go bold. While a photoshoot isn’t the time to experiment, if you love red lipstick, bring it along! Not only will it be perfect for the holiday season, but it will show great in your photos. (And a blue-based red makes teeth look whiter!)
Remember our top priority? Warmth. Bring along some disposable hand warmers, which you can pick up at most sporting good and drug stores. Slip them in gloves, shoes, and pockets.
When it comes to keeping your strength up, we like to think that fun street food and cafes are all part of your winter photoshoot. But if you’re traveling out into nature, especially for a longer shoot, definitely bring some snacks. And eating beforehand can be a great way to keep kids warmer and happier.
5. Trust your Photographer
You and your professional photographer are a team. They’re bringing their passion for photography, professional know-how, and local knowledge. You’re bringing your enthusiasm, sense of adventure, and vision. Together, you’re unstoppable!
Communicate with your photographer ahead of the photoshoot. Give them a sense of what you’re hoping for: indoor or outdoor shots, specific backgrounds, certain events or outfits. Plan ahead and use their expertise. They’ll know what locations to use based on what you’re after!
For example, your travel photographer will know the least crowded areas. This is one of the bonuses of winter travel! With the faint of heart hurrying indoors, you’ll have locations typically crowded in summer, like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and Piazza Navona in Rome, all to yourselves!
Your photographer will also know the best time of day for your photoshoot. They may plan your photoshoots the last couple hours before sunset. This magic time right before sunset makes the snow sparkle, creates long shadows, and with wrap you in diffused light, perfect for a winter photoshoot!
Photo by: Cat in Innsbruck
6. Let it all go
The good news: most of us are not top models!
This winter photoshoot isn’t an assignment; it’s an opportunity to have fun and make amazing memories. So do some shoulder rolls, take a few breaths, loosen up and enjoy it!
If you’ve done all the steps above, you’re as prepared as you need to be. And if you’re a spontaneous freespirit and didn’t do any preparation, you’re still going to have an unforgettable time. It’s all about attitude. Your travel photographer is there to guide you, and anything you might need can be bought locally.
As you go through your shoot, focus on why you’re doing this: the person you’re with, the place you’re in, an adventure, a lifelong dream.
Be in the moment you’re experiencing, right then and there. Savor it, don’t feel rushed, and don’t be afraid to take breaks. Even with an hour session, you can get a lot of photo ops in. A five-minute break to warm up in a cafe will keep you energized and might even provide the perfect, unplanned photograph!