It’s February!!! And, to me, that means that winter is nearing it’s end. Spring will be here soon, no matter how much the weather forecast contradicts that. But in the meantime, there is still that gorgeous winter light and beautiful snow. For those brave enough, this can be the perfect time for a photo session! But you have to know how to prepare. Today, I’ve put together my top three must-haves to make your next winter session go smoothly!
One: Layers!
This one seems like a no-brainer, but I’ve got to say it. Wear a coat! A heavy one! One that will keep you warm! Sure, you might not want it in the actual shots, but you’ll need it as we move between locations. The warmer you stay, the longer we’ll be able to shoot, and the more natural you’ll look! If you have a dressy coat that you don’t mind taking photos in, even better!
Another great way to stay warm, even when the coats come off, is to add fun layers. This can be anything from a pretty scarf, a suit jacket, even a shawl! Not only will you stay warm, you’ll also be adding texture to your images!
Karina and Chris were definitely prepared for their session at Green Lakes last winter. I love all the shawls Karina brought to complement her different dresses!
Two: The right shoes!
Always bring multiple pairs of shoes for a winter session. If you’re wearing a cocktail dress, heels will look great, but make sure you also bring some boots! It’s not uncommon for us to have to walk through a foot of snow to get to a good portrait location, and boots make that walk so much easier! If you’re wearing a long skirt that hides your feet, or are having a more casual family session, then you might be able to get away with some cute snow boots. Flats are also great, as they are much easier to stand in than heels, when in snow. Just be sure to avoid any shoe that is open-toe! Nothing ruins a session faster than cold feet!
The night before Steph and Trevor’s engagement photos, it snowed 12 inches! Steph was smart and brought boots for trecking through the snow, as well as a pair of high-heeled booties for when we were taking pictures. She also brought multiple winter coats, which gives the illusion of multiple outfits, without having to get changed at all!
Three: Hand warmers.
These are my secret weapon for snowy sessions! I always have a pair of hand warmers in my pockets, to warm up between shots. Holding them for even a few minutes can make such a difference! I also recommend toe warmers (just like for your hands, but thinner so that you can wear them in your shoes). They help you stay warm, they don’t show in the photos, and their fairly cheap. GAME CHANGER.
It was while photographing these lovely ladies that I realized the need for hand warmers. The temperature was in the negative digits and my hands could barely click the shutter. Now hand and foot warmers are a permanent fixture in my camera bag!
