Ideas for a winter outdoor photoshoot
Published: 24.01.2022
Many people do not like winter because it gets cold outside, it gets dark early, and they just want to get home and wrap themselves in a warm blanket. But winter is not a reason to stay at home, but a pretext to go for a walk and capture wonderful photos of this time. Think back to your childhood, how you loved to play in the snow, swing in the drifts, sled, build snowmen, and capture all of this on photos. In winter, snow transforms everything around and creates a fairytale and romantic atmosphere. Dress warmly, take your children and pets with you, and go for a winter photo walk. You will have a lot of fun walking through a snow-covered forest or park, and you will have great and original photos to remember it by. Let's consider what to take into account when conducting a winter outdoor photoshoot and what ideas are best for shooting.
What to pay attention to when preparing for a winter outdoor photoshoot
Before going on a winter photo walk, prepare your equipment and take all safety measures. The main problem with shooting in winter is the fogging of the camera lens, which occurs due to temperature changes. When you come in from the cold into a warm room, condensation forms on the camera, which can damage the equipment. To protect your gear, use regular food film, wrap the camera in it, and then condensation won't be a problem for you.
Take care of the models' comfort during the photoshoot. Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes that will prevent slipping on snow or ice. You will also need a tripod to stabilize the image and avoid shaking from frozen hands. A remote control will be helpful to press the camera shutter at any moment. It's a good idea to get lens filters to reduce glare from the snow surface.
Pay special attention to choosing clothes for a winter photoshoot. Clothing should not only be warm, but also harmoniously selected. Avoid white and grey items, as you will blend in with the white background of the snow. Give preference to contrasting and bright colors: red, blue, pink, orange. Colorful mittens, scarves, and hats of unusual shapes look stylish and beautiful. You can bring a blanket with you, it will allow you to sit on the snow and wrap yourself in it if you get very cold during the photoshoot.
"Ideas for winter outdoor photography"
The most popular and interesting options for a winter outdoor photoshoot are:
1. Take a walk in the snowy forest. Bring skis, sleds, or just stroll around. You can have an active and dynamic photo shoot in the forest, or a romantic one. If you enjoy outdoor activities, try winter sports, build snowmen, have a snowball fight. In this case, switch your camera to burst or sports mode. Couples will enjoy a leisurely photo walk in the winter forest. You can write the names of lovers or draw hearts in the snow.
2. If there is no forest nearby, go photograph the winter park. During the cold season, parks are usually less crowded, with empty snow-covered benches, pathways with footprints in the snow, all of which will help create beautiful shots and preserve memories of winter.
3. Skating rink is a great place for a photoshoot. Photos in motion look interesting, and active leisure will not only allow you to take cool shots, but also lift your spirits. If you don't know how to skate, don't worry, take someone with you who will hold your hand and you won't fall.
4. Walking through the city streets. It is best to go for an evening photo shoot in the city during winter. The lights of the streets are reflected beautifully in the snow and create a magical atmosphere in the photos. If the photo shoot takes place in December or January, you can take beautiful photos with the New Year's decorations.
5. Use special effects for photos. Against the background of white snow, colorful smoke looks bright and striking. Just keep in mind that it should be used in deserted places and follow safety precautions. In winter, you can take a beautiful photo of freezing hot water or soap bubbles. Make the most of all the advantages of the cold. Frost leaves beautiful patterns on all surfaces, and macro photography of snowflakes will definitely not leave anyone indifferent.
6. Photo session with animals. Pets love to play in the snow just as much as people do. Take your dogs for a walk and you will definitely capture some great shots of your four-legged friends in the snowdrifts.
7. Add warmth and coziness to the photo. Pictures with a bonfire on a snowy clearing look beautiful and immediately evoke associations with the fairy tale "12 Months". Use accessories such as mugs with warm drinks, mittens - they not only look good in the photo, but also help you keep warm.
Experiment with different genres of photography, take reportage, staged shots, capture nature, landscapes, children, and animals. Observe your surroundings more, notice unusual and interesting details, and then you will definitely take cool winter photos. You can preserve the best photos from your winter photo session outdoors by ordering a Light album or a photobook from Mapi.
Cool photos deserve an unusual frame. Print your cool shots in a Polaroid style. Fans of instant photography from the 90s may experience familiar feelings holding a photo in the Polaroid style. For those unfamiliar with traditional Polaroids, square images with space for captions will be to their liking.
