Last winter, Eisley and Sophie from our studio team got snow day senior photos in Bolivar during one of the few snowfalls that stuck. Snow in the 417 can melt or turn to slush in about a day, so we had to move fast.
If you want senior photos this winter, planning now leaves time to choose a date and try on your winter layers. This winter photoshoot guide covers when to book, which hours of daylight to choose, what to wear, and how to keep the day fun. These ideas are here to help you plan a session that feels like you.
Why to plan your winter photoshoot now
Snow is hard to schedule in southwest Missouri. The National Weather Service office in Springfield lists normal snowfall of about 13.7 inches a year, and most of it falls in December, January, and February. Some winters bring several snowy days. Some bring very few.
Your calendar is the other part of the puzzle. Between school concerts, games, family trips, and holiday plans, December and early January fill up fast. A date on the calendar now gives you something to plan around before everything else claims those weekends.
Snow or no snow: pick the winter look you want
Some people dream of snow. Some would rather skip it. Both are good options.
Without snow, winter around Bolivar has bare trees, quiet fields, and soft gray skies. Those bare branches leave more of the sky in view, and a coat or scarf can bring color into the frame.
With snow, everything turns bright and clean. If snow is on your wish list, you can see how it looked for Sophie's snow day senior photos and then decide how much you want to wait for it.
Book early and leave room for the weather
Book your session in advance so you have a set date. If you are hoping for snow, ask whether you can move to a snow day on short notice when one shows up in the forecast. Sometimes that works, and sometimes the calendar is already full. Your planned date gives you a solid starting point either way.
Decide ahead of time what you will do if the day turns out gray, cold, or snowy. A plan for each version of the day keeps photo day relaxed, whatever the forecast says. For more on timing, read our guide on when to book your senior photoshoot.
Choose the first two or last two hours of daylight
The first two hours after sunrise or the last two hours before sunset are times to discuss with your photographer. The location and weather help us choose a start time for your day. If the sun peeks out, we can work with that light, too.
Winter days are short, so check the clock. In Bolivar, the sun sets around 4:55 p.m. on December 1 and around 5:19 p.m. by mid-January, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory sunrise and sunset data. An evening session usually starts in the middle of the afternoon.
Overcast winter days give us soft light, too. We can choose a spot for the sky we have that day.
Winter photoshoot outfits: neutrals or a pop of color
For winter photoshoot outfits, you have two good directions. Neutrals like cream, camel, gray, and white look calm and pair well with snow.
I have to say, I love a pop of color in the winter. When the sky is overcast and the trees are bare, a red coat, a green sweater, or a bright scarf adds a little happiness to the photo. Eisley wore a bright pink puffer coat for her snow day, and it stands out against the white snow and bare trees. Color is my suggestion for winter, and the choice is yours.
Plan one warm layer you can slip off for a few photos and put back on between setups. Coats, sweaters, hats, and scarves can also change the look of a photo without a full outfit change. Our senior picture outfit ideas can help you pull your favorite pieces together.
Winter photoshoot questions
When should I book winter photos? Book in the fall if you can. December is full of holiday plans for most families, so picking your date before Thanksgiving gives you more choices. If you want a snow session, book a date anyway and ask about moving it when snow shows up in the forecast.
What time of day is best for winter photos? Discuss the first two hours after sunrise or the last two hours before sunset with your photographer. December sunsets in Bolivar come before 5 p.m., so check how the session fits your school and travel time.
What if it does not snow? Talk through the snow-free plan for your booking. Bare trees, dry grasses, and a gray sky can be part of your winter photos. Plenty of winter sessions happen without any snow on the ground.
How do I stay warm during a winter photoshoot? Wear warm layers under your outfit and bring a heavy coat to put on between setups. Hand warmers in your pockets and a warm car nearby make the cold easier to handle.
Let your winter photos be fun
Photos document where you are right now, and you get to add to them over the years.
If this were the last photo shoot you ever had, what you wore would sit near the bottom of the list of things that matter. Your family will be so happy to have those photos with you. I say that as someone who lives with chronic health things, so I mean it.
If other people are in the photos with you, everybody can wear what they love. Matching can be fun if you want it, and so can letting each person pick their favorite sweater. It gets to be what you want. Make it a fun day for you and the people with you, and make something you love looking at.
If you are planning senior photos in Bolivar, MO this winter, start with a date, a backup plan, and one outfit you are excited to wear. We will work out the rest together.
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