Can You Take Outdoor Portraits in the Winter?
A lot of things get put on pause in the winter - lots of outdoor sports, most leisure travel, happy hours on rooftops and patios. But if you’re itching to get updated family portraits or to celebrate a milestone photo session like maternity portraits, does that have to wait until spring too? Or can you still take outdoor portraits in the winter?
The short answer is yes, we can absolutely take your family photos outdoors in the winter! In fact, I have clients every year who are excited to capture the beauty of a seaside winter scene or the wintery woodlands. A winter outdoor photo shoot just takes a little extra planning and some special considerations.
Choose the Right Location
Location is a huge part of any outdoor photo shoot, but it’s especially true in the winter. Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but let’s be honest - not every locale looks good in the winter. It’s best to go somewhere that has evergreen trees, for example, rather than trees that lose all their leaves and go barren in the winter.
It can be tough to know which locations have the winter look you want. Luckily for you, though, you have a professional photographer who knows all the best spots in the Seattle and Mercer Island area for every season (me!). When we’re planning your photo session, I’ll recommend the top spots for this time of the year.
Play with Outerwear and Accessories
So many of us love to break out a new outfit for a photo shoot, but it’s important to plan your outfit accordingly. When you’re planning a winter photo shoot, there’s no need to be uncomfortable! You can plan a fantastic outfit that’s warm enough by incorporating well-styled outerwear and winter accessories like hats or scarves.
If you do want your portraits to be outerwear-free, layers will be the key. Think of an underlayer paired with a long-sleeved shirt, topped with a sweater, and maybe even a vest on top.
Know Your Limits
We all have our own comfort levels with the weather - some people are more resistant to cold and others are more sensitive or bothered by the cold. This might not matter much from day to day, but if you’re trying to get gorgeous portraits but you’re really suffering in the cold, it might mean you don’t look your best because you’re stiffening your posture or grimacing.
Put simply, not everyone is well suited to outdoor portraits, and that’s totally fine! Just know yourself (and your family if we’re talking about a family session) well enough to know if winter portraits are an option.
Creating the Wonderful Winter Photos of Your Dreams
The Seattle area has gorgeous settings all year round, with their own aesthetics with every season. Winter is no exception, and it’s an opportunity for stunning and unique portraits that you’ll cherish more and more with each passing year. If you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland photo shoot, contact Jaimié Birtel Photography and let’s bring your vision to life!