My Best Winter Shoot Ideas and Tips

Today, I’m rounding up some of my favorite winter shoots,  in hopes of bringing you a little winter cheer and inspiration. Whether you are newly engaged, planning your wedding,  growing your family or just looking to hit the slopes, winter shoots are some of my favorites. I’m sharing some memorable sessions from over the years, as well as my best winter shoot ideas for your upcoming engagement, wedding or portrait session.

While I may be writing this from my desk in sunny Miami, Florida, I am a mountain girl at heart. I spent the first decade of my life in the remote ski town of Mammoth Lakes, California. It’s famous for its colossal winter snow falls. Located along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of the Inyo National Forest, it was a pretty amazing place to grow up. Each winter, we would take our skis to school to be bussed  up the mountain for ski team practice. My Mom ran the snow plow and my Dad was in the Ski Patrol unit. Needless to say, while I don’t spend as much time in the mountains now, the lure and charm of them, along with the crisp winter air and beautiful snow, have never really left me.

I have dreams of winter shoots on Lake Louise in Banff, Canada or in the Swiss Alps. Perhaps work will take me there someday soon, but for now—these snowy destination shoots have been some of the most fun I’ve had!

So let’s dive into some of my favorite and best winter shoot ideas and feel all the cozy winter feels. Don’t miss my best tips for your winter shoot below the images…

Leigh Ann & Matt

Chicago, Illinois

One of my favorite winter shoots to-date was that of Leigh Ann and Matt. We flew to Chicago in January, hoping the forecast would bend our way and and give us some fresh snow. I remember refreshing the forecast over and over on my phone as we traveled there!

My vision was to shoot the couple in the beautiful winter wonderland of Chicago; however, when we arrived, the roads were covered with brown slushy snow, dirty from all the car traffic. It was hardly appealing. Continuing to check the forecast, we made a plan and then crossed our fingers. Luckily, the morning of our shoot the temperatures dropped and the snow came.

Leigh Ann and Matt were patient and brave, venturing out into the subzero weather, determined to help us make magic. The result? The snow globe shot I had in mind all along—and lots of laughs as we all froze our buns off!

Tip:
Be patient and plan around the forecast. It’s worth it to wait for the fresh snow and to face the stormy conditions to get the right shot!

Geraldine Magazine 

Aspen, Colorado

Another favorite of mine was the cover editorial for Geraldine Magazine. We ventured to Aspen, Colorado in January. Just like Leigh Ann and Matt’s session, we were greeted with a snowstorm and subzero temps. Luckily, our entire team (and very dedicated models!) wasn’t deterred as we shot in remote areas outside of Aspen. We trekked through the snow, following trails and even putting down planks of wood for the models to stand on when the snowfall became too deep. Ultimately, our scouting and dedicated conviction to head out into the wilderness paid off!

Tip:
Don’t be afraid to make it an adventure! Even gowns are amazing in winter landscapes, and with a little preparation (and some snow boots), almost anything is possible. Dare to dream big! 

Becky & Jason

Vail, Colorado

Becky + Jason were married in Napa at Meadowood, one of my favorite venues.  But they wanted to incorporate another favorite destination into their engagement session. Becky grew up coming to her family’s home in Vail, and she and Jason had many great memories of trips to Vail while they were dating. So Vail was the perfect, meaning destination for a winter engagement shoot.

Once there, I scouted and scouted until I  finally found the perfect place for their session. We started with more formal looks and then changed into more casual winter attire, complete with the family’s snow sled. These playful images are some of my favorites and really capture how Vail made them feel—at home and joyful. 

For so many of us, the snow and winter traditions bring us back to some of our happiest memories as children, and is just one of the reasons I love winter shoots so much. 

Tip:
When thinking about where to do your family or engagement session, why not incorporate one of your favorite places? Turn your shoot into a getaway! Some of my favorite sessions are destination shoots where we meet our couples somewhere they love or somewhere they want to explore and make an adventure out of it. 

My Great Uncle Bob

Mammoth Lakes, California

While this wasn’t a client session, I couldn’t do a winter round up without including my Great Uncle Bob! I took portraits of him skiing Mammoth Mountain a couple of winters ago. Bob helped construct the original Chair 1. He was one of the first patrollers at Mammoth, and has skied Mammoth every year since Dave McCoy’s rope tow days on McGee Mountain in 1948. 

At 94 years old, he sails down the mountain, drinks Coors Light daily, and is more full of life and positivity than anyone you’ll meet. Two years ago, we joined him for his annual run down the mountain, this time with my camera in tow to document the legend. I hope I can return this ski season to watch him do it again. 71 consecutive years strong! What a legacy!

Tip:
Photo shoots don’t have to stop with the engagement or wedding. How can you document the stories and legacies in your life?

Coba Family

Atlanta, Georgia

Lastly, while this might be the only feature that didn’t involve a lot of snow, this winter session reflects all the holiday cheer we are all looking for this time of year. 

Longtime friends and clients, we met the Coba family in Atlanta at the gorgeous Swan House in early December. While it was chilly and wet, we documented their young family against the classic and historic home. Jenni, who has always had a talent for fashion styling, chose the perfect, bold red gown to contrast the neutral tones of the house. Of all their family shoots, it’s certainly one of my favorites.

Tip:
Be bold with your fashion! Embrace the theme of winter with texture, form and colors of the holiday season. From snow boots and scarfs to a dramatic couture gown, they all shine against the snow or a refined background. The winter landscapes and backdrops can only add to the magic and help enhance the fashion you select. 

---

There you have it! My best winter shoot ideas and tips for a fun and festive shoot. I hope you feel inspired to dream about a winter session for yourself. Whether you’re planning your wedding, engagement or a portrait session, these tips will give you food for thought to make it creative, timeless and most of all—fun.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out my Favorite Engagement Shoots here: