Winter Photoshoot Outfit Ideas: The Do's and Don'ts

When considering an outdoor photo session in the winter months, you may come across a bit of a conundrum. Of course, you want to look cute for your session, but you do not want to be too cold while standing outside for an hour or two!

Enter the answer: this blog post! I’ve compiled a list of the most pertinent “do’s” and “don’ts” pertaining to outfit choice for photo sessions that take place in winter weather.

SAY YES TO…

• Visible Layers - Visible layers - coats, sweaters, faux fur wraps, and the like - can not only keep you warm and toasty, but add lots of great visual interest to a photo! Consider finding an adorable coat that you could wear for your entire session, and plan any other outfits around that!

• Hidden Layers - As great as visible layers are, you might want to consider some “hidden” layers for your winter session, too! Layering extra warmth under your “visible” layers (so long as they don’t get too bulky!) can be a game changer during a winter session. You’ll want to make sure you can last in the cooler temps so that you can get your money’s worth of photos during your session! My favorite example “hidden layers” came from one of my engagement session clients, who wore a beautiful maxi skirt to her winter session. She layered multiple pairs of pants and fluffy socks underneath her skirt, and you couldn’t even tell in her final images!

• Super Cute Coats - Like I mentioned before, consider splurging in a cute coat, and make it the visual centerpiece of your images! A cute coat “goes” quite well with a winter backdrop, too.

• Winter Accessories - Give me ALL of the adorable winter accessories! Hats, scarves, mittens, boots, boot socks, faux fur wraps - you name it, it can be incorporated into your images, AND add warm during your session!

• Boots or Waterproof Shoes - This is a HUGE one that I try to remember to tell my clients beforehand… if your shoot will have snow in it, make sure you wear a pair of shoes that are either 1) water proof, 2) insulated, or 3) you don’t care about getting ruined! If you schedule a session with me and there’s snow, you better believe that we will be galavanting around in it!!

• Bright Pops of Color - I LOVE bright colors for winter sessions! With backdrops being mostly more neutral (with snow) or barren (empty tree branches), pops of color (think a bright colored coat, or a bright set of mittens, scarf, and hat!) can add lots of visual interest and “pop” to your images!

• Winter Themed Props - Fun winter themed props can be a great way to stay warm during your session! Have a cute and cozy blanket laying around the house? Bring it and we can have you sit on it, or wrap you and your family or partner up in it! You could even bring some cute mugs and hot chocolate for something a bit more styled.

CONSIDER PASSING ON…

• Outfits That Show Skin (if you don’t want to muscle through the cold!) - This one might seem obvious, but I’ve had quite a few people over the years show up to their winter sessions in dresses and short sleeve shirts, and I’ve felt absolutely terrible keeping them out in the cold! Of course, this is a completely personal choice. Some people don’t mind the cold, and are willing to “muscle” through for an hour when they have a specific vision of what they want their photos to look like. I love those people!!! But if you are uncomfortable and cold and having a no good very bad time… that will most likely show through in your images! Consider choosing weather appropriate clothing, unless the cold never bothered you anyways ;) Remember that you will be out in the winter weather for an extended period of time, so you’ll most likely get cold fast!

• TOO Many Heavy Layers - While layers are usually a good thing when planning for an outdoor session, you will want to make sure that you don’t have too many layers! Too many extra layers can add on extra “weight” that isn’t there.

A FEW MORE RESOURCES:

If you’re looking for some more help preparing for your winter photo session, check out the posts below!

• Winter Family Outfit Inspiration Pinterest Board

• Winter Engagement Outfit Inspiration Pinterest Board

• Winter Senior Outfit Inspiration Pinterest Board

View some of my favorite outfits from past winter sessions below!

If you enjoyed this blog post, check out some more of our most up-to-date content below!

For more resources for photographers, seniors, and engaged couples, click any of the photos below!

Winter Hartwood Acres Mansion Family Photos

I met with this sweet family on a semi-warm January day during the first week of 2020! Hartwood Acres is always one of my top picks for winter photos because it looks good all year ‘round, so I was so excited when they chose this location for their family photos. And check out that adorable red hair on the two youngest!!

Snow-Filled Family Photos at North Park

Early November in Pittsburgh is always a toss up. Will it rain? Will it snow? Will it be 20 degrees, or 85 degrees?! No one quite knows! 😉 This incredible family pictured in this blog post decided to embrace the early snow and went with their planned session time in the snow and cold! We worked fast, took a mid-way break, and were able to get some beautiful, snow-filled images.

To this sweet family: thank you all for being such incredible troopers, and for braving the unexpected weather! 💛

Check out some of my favorites from their session below!

What to Wear for a Winter Photo Session

Dressing for a winter photo session can be tricky! You want to stay warm, but you want to look good. Really, the key to dressing for a winter photo session is to be flexible. If you happen to be a native to the Pittsburgh area (or to any colder weather area!), you know how unpredictable winter can be. Here in Pittsburgh, it could be 50 degrees one day, and 20 the next – and trust me, when it’s below freezing, you do not want to be getting your photo taken with just a shirt and a pair of pants on. You’re going to need a bit more to make sure you don’t freeze to death!

Below are a few of my top tips for dressing for your winter photo session! 

1. UTILIZE LOTS OF VISIBLE LAYERS

Now is the time to pull out your strongest layering game! Lucky for you, not only will wearing layers in your photos keep you warm, but they look so good and add a lot of visual interest to a photograph! Try layering a collared shirt with a sweater, or a nice sweatshirt with a jacket, or a sweater dress with a blanket scarf. Below are a few of my favorite ways clients have utilized layering for colder season sessions in the past!

A thick sweater with a collared shirt and long boots are sure to keep you warm when you’re outside in the cold for an extended period of time!

A blanket scarf and a jacket not only look adorable, but have you ever worn a blanket scarf?! They are SO WARM!

100% yes to Carly’s adorable cute jacket! She layered a neutral shirt underneath with a statement necklace, pulling the whole look together seamlessly, and keeping her warm!

A scarf and a long sweater, layered over a long sleeve shirt ✅

I love this upscale winter look! Full disclosure: this was actually an elopement, not an engagement session, but their outfits here provide such a great template for dressing for cold weather! Jason wore a nice jacket over his suit, keeping him extra warm during their six degree elopement, and Brittany wore a cute jacket and patterned scarf with warm leggings, boots, and a puffy skirt!

Another example of a great winter coat!

Sweaters, jeans, and boots!

A more casual coat centric, layered outfit.

A puffer jacket is always a great piece to layer for the cold!

I am obsessed with this green coat!

A suit is a great choice for adding a little extra warmth!

This might be one of my favorite layered looks! Grant wore a nice sweatshirt style shirt underneath his jean jacket, and it kept him (semi) warm and looked great on camera!

2. INCORPORATE HIDDEN LAYERS… AND HOTTIES

Hidden layers can be powerful when it comes to having your photo taken in the winter. The key? Be careful where you put those extra layers. Putting on extra socks? GREAT idea! Layer those babies up, because they won’t change your body visually in front of the camera. However, try not to go too bulky. For example, if you are planning on wearing a winter coat with some layers underneath for your session, try to choose a coat that accentuates your waist with a belt or seaming. This will accentuate the smallest part of your waist and give your body shape in front of the camera!

Oh, and shove hotties (hand warmers) wherever the heck they will go! In your shoes, in your pockets - if you’re wearing a skirt with leggings underneath, tape them to your legs! This is all about survival, people!

3. USE WEATHER APPROPRIATE ACCESSORIES

Pull out your winter hats, scarves, boots, mittens, and socks, or use your photo session as the perfect excuse to buy a cute new coat and/or boots! If you’re having your photos taken during winter, it’s completely appropriate to dress like it’s winter! Some of my favorite outfits from winter photo sessions are those that embrace the winter garb and use accessories to their advantage - like the ones below!

All and all, just remember: if you don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera, chances are, you will look uncomfortable. And if you’re investing in photos… it’s worth it to try to stay comfortable, and in the cold, stay warm!

In need of a little more winter outfit inspiration? I created a Pinterest Board with some of my favorite winter outfits for seniors, couples, and families - click the link below to check it out!

How to Prepare for Your Winter Photo Session

There are SO many things I love about photographing people in a winter setting. There are lots of unique and picturesque backgrounds, and the photos always end up having an overall “cozy” feeling to them! But what does it really take to have your photos taken in the dead of winter when it’s 20 degrees (or less!) outside? There are a couple of tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years that have helped make winter sessions more enjoyable for those who are brave enough to step in front of my camera. So if YOU are planning on having family photos, couple photos, or senior photos taken during the winter – these are my best tips for you!

Make sure the first thing you’re thinking of when planning your outfits is WARMTH!

• Add accessories like scarves, hats, jackets, long boot socks and boots.
• Consider actually wearing a coat for your photos!
• Add layers underneath your chosen outfits – socks, long johns, an extra t-shirt – anything that will insulate you a little bit more!
• If you’ll be walking around in the snow, consider bringing a pair of snow boots for walking between locations so your “nice” boots or shoes don’t get ruined!

Bring some EXTRA warmth with you for in between shots!

• I always bring a blanket or two with me to my sessions in the winter, but I highly recommend bringing extra for yourself if you think of it! This can be a lifesaver while walking between locations or even just between shots!
• Hand warmers are a LIFESAVER for cold winter shoots. You can put them in your gloves, shoes, and pockets without the camera picking it up (for the most part!)

Be willing to be flexible if the weather calls for it.

There’s a higher chance of inclement weather, especially in Western Pennsylvania in the winter months, which means that a session could easily get snowed out or cancelled due to extreme temperatures. It’s not fun to have your photo taken in negative degree weather, which can make the session (and memories associated with it) somewhat unenjoyable, which is the very LAST thing I would ever want!

As a firm believer that photo sessions can be (and should be) enjoyable, incorporating these tips and tricks into your winter photo session will ensure that you stay somewhat warm and toasty throughout your entire session!