The Magic Behind Winter and Snow Family Photo Session!

You LOVE winter in wonderland yet you're worried about the cold weather for family photos? Fear no more, you can have your dream and gorgeous winter family memories! It's just a matter of planning and following a few tips to rock your snow photoshoot. Keep reading to learn the in and outs of Winter Family Photo Sessions! You'll LOVE the experience and will cherish these memories forever!

Estimated Reading Time: 5 min

Winter Has The Best Light!

This fact surprises many people! If you think that there is a compromise if you book a winter family photo session, then you're in for an unexpected charm. Light is softer during the winter months. The white snow acts as a huge reflector and everything looks brighter and gorgeous. 

How About Styling?

Warm tones warm everything up, rust and mustard are my favorites for snow. Match them with mid to dark tones and the outfits will work wonderfully! 

When Mother Nature puts on a show that is driven by white and neutral muted tones (wood), pick a (warm) color you love to pop and stand out. In each case below, the mustard is running the show and every other color in the family works around it (navy, olive, beige, blue, ivory, and light pink). 

Sessions Are Shorter, The Cold Won't Get To You

The key to a successful winter photoshoot ~ especially with little kids ~ is to keep it short & sweet. Meltdowns start when kids get so cold that they are uncomfortable. Is a shorter session doable? absolutely! Many reasons why the shorter format works in winter season:

• Fewer crowds. Even the most iconic and signature locations are empty! As an example, this bridge is at the Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, MA. On any other season, this bridge is packed in and around it. So it always takes more time to find that window of opportunity to capture an epic scene like the one you see below. 

• Everyone cooperates in winter. It's ironic, right? I promise, something clicks with kids during Winter. It might be that they are just excited to be outdoors (people usually spend most of the winter indoors and bundled up). Kids see this outdoor experience as a fun family adventure! So the moods are happy if they're dressed warm enough. Warm kids = happy kids.

Sunsets Are Early, yay!

Meals and naps are something to plan around on a family photo session day. The beauty of a winter photo session is that sunset sessions take place around 4 pm, which means that kids are in primetime! The session takes place after a nap and way before bedtime. It's a win-win in terms of little kids' schedules! Woohoo!

Dressing Warm Is The Key To A Successful Winter Photoshoot

In Norway they say that there is no bad cold weather, there are just bad clothes. If you dress warm enough the battle is already won. That's how you take gorgeous pictures in winter! ❄️❤️

• Layers, layers, and more layers. Did I say layers?
• Vests, knitted chunky sweaters, hats, scarfs, everything helps. See these accessories as an opportunity to add texture to the family wardrobe! 
• Chances are that jackets will be ON during SOME portraits. That means that the color of the jackets matters. Make sure you LOVE the jackets, if your kids are TOO cold and you're battling to get the coats OFF, it will go downhill. Plan for jackets ON and if it gets warm enough for kids to take them off, even better!
• Boots. It's totally OK if you want everyone wearing leather boots (I understand! I'm the same way, shoes do show up in the photo), yet bring the SNOW boots with you. If the walk is long to the final location, have everyone make the expedition with warm feet. You can change them when the photoshoot is about to begin. OR if your tribe is full of happy winter troopers, leave the snow boots/extra pair of shoes in the car and change them as soon as the kids get back in the car, chances are their feet will be very cold by then.
• Gloves are key. Bring them with you, even if they're neon pink! Everyone can take them off quickly and put them in a pocket just in time for pictures. But it will be key to get those minutes of warm hands in between, they give the boost of warmth needed to go on happily.
• Sweaters are your best friends. Find one that you KNOW it's very warm and build your outfit around it. With a VERY warm sweater, you can go for a skirt or even a dress.
• You're not tied to jeans/pants for winter family photos. Why? because you can wear mid-weight base layer pants/tights under your long skirt. If you're wearing boots no one will tell :)
• Moms have a magic power. Do you know what that is? ADRENALINE! Even the moms who are known to always be cold (ME included) don't need to be bundled up as you would imagine for a winter photoshoot. We keep moving, walking, playing, and before you know it you take your jacket off and don't look back. I don't have a scientific explanation it's just my personal experience from my own family winter photo session  :) 
  
  Do you want to learn more about styling and color schemes for family pictures? this blog has it all!
  
  If the thought of picking outfits has kept you from booking your family photos, then this blog is for you! 
  
  

It's All About Logistics

Shooting in the snow is not easy, make sure you ask tons of questions to your photographer. Once a photographer has mastered shooting in winter conditions, the session flows and the cold won't get to your family. You'll LOVE the experience!

It's worth asking about the photographer's winter vision and photo session ideas. Things to have in mind:

• Windchill (what's the "feels like" temp that day? when does she/he postpone if it's too cold?)
• Parking (do you have easy access to your car if you need to warm up a bit)
• Session duration (setting the right expectation so you can plan accordingly)
• Blankets (a must-have for winter photo sessions).
  

As you can see from the photos I shared, winter is a gorgeous season for family and maternity photoshoots outdoor! go for it!

The absolute best part of winter family photos outdoors is.... the cuddles and snuggles!!! Be ready to receive love and give love like never before. Kids love the snow, some love it even more than the sand (my tropical DNA finds that fact fascinating!)

Bundle up buttercup and enjoy precious moments with your family. There are so many reasons to celebrate winter with epic family pictures, don't let the cold weather intimidate you. With the right clothes and the right mindset, you're guaranteed an unforgettable experience. If you've done Fall family pictures before, try Winter and you'll see how different the portraits will feel. The winter magic is unstoppable, the light is gorgeous and so soft, this is probably the biggest hidden secret!  

I can't wait for your family to experience the winter in wonderland magic during snow family photos!

Your winter photoshoot will be epic.

Love,

Andre

ABOUT ANDRE TORO PHOTOGRAPHY

Andre Toro is an award-winning and published family photographer based in Boston, MA. She calls her style Real Art Photography, which she defines as Fine Art inspired by candid moments. Andre is a passionate soul, obsessed with human connection, and emotive storytelling. She believes love is raw, messy, and beautiful. To inquiry about booking a photo session, please contact her at andre@andretorophotography.com