What to Wear for Your Winter Photoshoot

Hi! I am a family photographer in the Cleveland Ohio area, and as you can probably guess, winters are long and cold around here. It doesn’t mean that you should skip on your pictures though: winter pictures would look great on Christmas cards, for moody engagement photoshoots, or just documenting your family’s seasonal activities.

When it comes to cold temperatures, clothing can really take away from the artistic side of your photographs. But it doesn’t have to. In this blog post I will share do’s and don’ts when it comes to picking out your outfits for a winter photography session.

Don’ts – When Dressing for Winter Photoshoot – Skip on the Puffer Coats

While I love my puffer coats to keep me warm, I would skip on one for photography. While it might be perfectly fine to document a fun family outing (like here, we took some of own casual family pictures), you won’t achieve an artistic masterpiece that you would want to frame and hang on your wall.

There are of course exceptions to this rule, and sometimes you can make the puffer coats work. More on that below.

Do’s – When dressing for Winter Photoshoot

Use Layers

If you agreed that the puffer coat must go, you still need to keep warm. After all, red nose and frozen hands do not really go well with our goal of artistic photography. Use layers: scarves, extra sweaters, cardigans, socks, mittens, they all will add dimension to your pictures, while simultaneously keeping you warm.

Check out how the scarves in the pictures above just instantly add coziness. The 2nd is Photo by Brigitte Tohm, and the 3rd is Photo by Tobi. The first one is me with my son Everett, both warm and fitting well with the background.

Use textures

Another way to add dimension to your picture is no pick outfit pieces with different textures: fluffy “fur” jackets, chunky knits, regular size knits, and plain fabrics, along with corduroy are some of the great options you can search your closet for in preparation for your photography session. Just be mindful of the next rule: the colors still have to compliment each other.

Photographs by Alena Shekhovtcova, Andrea Piacquadio and Isabelle Taylor

This family had an absolutely amazing choice of outfits, that I’m sure kept them warm. The textures, layers and colors worked beautifully in their family pictures.

Colors matter

Sometimes the temperatures would not allow you to not wear a puffer coat. You can make it work! You just have to be mindful of the colors. What are the primary colors of you location? Do the colors of your coats fit in? If it’s a contrast color, does it compliment the main one? If the answers are all “yes”, then go ahead and put on that warm coat, it will still look great!

Here are a couple examples when the puffer coats are totally acceptable and make a good portrait. In the first two images the white coat perfectly blends in with the snow on the ground, and the red hat/ blanket create contrast and draw the viewers attention, make the pictures interesting. In the second two, the brownish green coat makes a great monochrome look with the surrounding Christmas trees.

Loose the coats for a few moments – the pictures would be worth it

I your outwear just does not fit your vision of your perfect winter pictures, we can still make it work. Just wear what you love, and put on a coat. Here is a lovely family that had to take their family pictures in 30ish degree weather. We just had to act really fast. I turned the 30 minute session into a 15 minute mini, but nonetheless it worked!

Be mindful of the shoes

After we implemented all the above tips, we do not want to ruin our look with the dirty or bulky-looking boots. I know it might be hard in the winter, but trust me shoes are just as important as the rest of your outfit. If you can’t color-match, we could try a contrasting color, that would match the atmosphere of the pictures (like in this case, Christmasy red).

Winters are rough, and most of the time are a dead season for the photographers, especially the ones that prefer to shoot outdoors. But it doesn’t have to be for you, if you are set on taking your family pictures! Just follow the tips in this guide!