Take great Winter Portrait Photos
Snowy days are AMAZING for portraits since the white snow works like a giant reflector slash diffuser that will make you go: “what??? Is my skin really THIS good? I’m looking SO good today!” So what could be better for a winter portrait photoshoot than a snowy day?
First things first: if, like me, you live in a place where it does not snow a lot during winter, the first tip I have for you is to keep an eye on the forecast and get ready to get wet, especially if you’re going out by yourself for the shoot.
Get your batteries, cards and camera good to go before it starts to snow, so you won’t miss it when the time comes! Same thing goes for your outfits. Prepare yourself in advance so you don’t miss it when the snow is falling hard outside your window.
Also, don’t forget to take with you something to cover your camera and protect it from the snow. It might get pretty wet. I did not do this properly for this shoot and I ended up using my gloves so my cameras would not be SO wet. But keep in mind things might get pretty wet, especially if the temperature is positive and most of the snow is melting straight away after it falls.
Bring one or several hats with you and remember that, if you want to get some shots of yourself or of your subject not wearing a hat, you might want to take those shots in the beginning, before the hair gets all nasty and damp. Then you can do the rest of the photos with one or different hats and hoodies.Hats and hoodies always look amazing in the snow!
For the shots you are about to see I used a Canon 5D Mark IV, an 85mm f/1.8 lens and a Andoer tripod. Nothing else. I will leave a link for the gear I used down in the description in case you want to check it out.
I left my house and came straight to this location. Ever since we moved to our new place I always looked at this bridge and thought: “wow, this will look amazing when it snows! I need to get out here and make some shots!”. It is in a park nearby my house. 10 minute walk for me to get here.
As I said, I was not exactly prepared for this much snow! So my camera ended up getting some wet. I’m glad it is resistant. I tried to place my gloves over it to avoid it from getting too wet, but it only helped some.
I controlled all of the shots remotely with my phone, using the Camera Connect app that works pretty well with Canon. It allows me not only to trigger the shutter-release button, but also let’s me change my camera settings on screen, which makes things a lot easier when you shoot self portraits.
After these first shots, I just walked a few meters further to the bridge to get some photos at this bench here. I moved the camera further and closer to me a couple of times to get some different angles and distances.
Then I decided to change clothes and try shooting the other way around. By now the snow was a little deeper and everything behind me was white and soft. I love how the trees softly make a tunnel around my head helping me to compose a beautiful image. In fact, this is my favorite image from this photoshoot.
One more look around and I found this vegetation I do not know the name of full of snow! I thought they looked so delicate and pretty and, since to me photography is all about the details, I decided to step inside the vegetation and take some closeups in the middle of it.
By then me and my equipment were pretty wet, so I decided to head home. On my way back I decided to make a new stop when I found these stairs with the pine trees on the back, though. I love how stairs usually also help me a lot in composing beautiful images and the pine trees full of snow on top were the perfect scene for some more shots.
Here’s a good tip for you: Always shoot with your grid on.
It will allow you to place leading lines and the subject according to the rule of thirds and as a result, you will get more impressive and appealing images.
If you don’t know what the grid or the rule of third is, I recommend you watch the video I talk all about photography composition where I have some great tips that will help you to learn this and other composition tools that will make your photos go crazy good! I will link the video up here and in the description also.
After these shots, I just looked the other way and found another spot I really liked a lot.
I wanted to get the light from the tunnel at the back of me and thought the grey box you see on the left could be something really cool to add up a line and also some depth of field to my photo. I created a frame to myself in the photo and therefore I got a richer and more interesting portrait.
By now you might be thinking: “there is no snow where I live! Winter is not all about snow!” I think you’re totally right! I’m from Brazil and it hardly ever snows there, so if you don’t want to go outdoors or if it does not snow in your city, no problem! You can do great winter indoor photos also! I recently recorded a video where I shot some Christmas portraits at home that you can use to help you out for indoor shots in case you want to take great winter portrait photos at home, for example. For these photos, obviously I’m wearing Christmas clothing and I have Christmas elements all around since it is a Christmas video but you can use the exact same settings, angles, equipment and even similar ideas just using different colors to get this winter indoor vibe. Coffee cups, marshmallows, winter socks, blankets, candles, anything warm and cozy can be all you need to take cozy indoor winter portrait photos.
If you want to watch the entire video where I have more photos and where I explain all I used to take these photos, here is the link for it — https://youtu.be/yBAiMMZNi3Q
Also, in case you want more tips on how to do great winter photos, I have another video I recorded last year with several different tips that might also be helpful to you before you hit the snow! — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3NSZuhilJU
I hope this helps you to take amazing winter portrait photos and please drop me a line to let me know your thoughts about this post.
So, yeah… That is all for today, guys! Keep warm!
