Winter photography ideas can include snow beneath the St. Louis Arch, a sled lifted with your person, or Christmas trees you can sit beside indoors. If you're choosing photos for the two of you or your family, these ideas give you a few places to start, including a warm studio session in Bolivar, MO.
Sri and Chris have the Arch behind them. Brittany and Aaron have snow and a sled lifted over their heads. And the Christmas mini brings the little winter trees inside. I like how much room there is here to choose the version of winter you want.
A Christmas mini brings the winter trees indoors.
Winter photography ideas with a Christmas feel
Small Christmas trees and a favorite outfit can give a portrait plenty of holiday feeling. In the Christmas mini, the trees sit around her against a white background. Her black outfit stands out, and there's room for her to sit cross-legged or stand with her hands on her hips.
You could start with a sweater, a velvet dress, or the outfit your child keeps choosing for every occasion. A little sparkle would be fun here, too. Let the clothes give the portrait some of your own style.
For siblings or a family photo, think about a few combinations you'd like: everyone together, the children, and one portrait of each child. A Christmas photo can be a group picture and a chance to see each person's little expressions up close.
If a card is part of your plan, our guide to when to take Christmas card photos covers that timing question. These photos show a past mini setup; ask about the current set when you choose your session.
Make the place part of your winter engagement photos
Sri and Chris's winter engagement session in St. Louis.
Sri and Chris's snowy St. Louis engagement photo leaves room for the whole Arch. They stand together near the bottom of the frame, with the paths and trees around them. The place gets to be part of their photo, too.
For your own session, start with a spot you both want in the pictures. It might be a city landmark, a familiar park, or a street where you spend time together. Think about one wide photo that shows where you are, then a closer one where you can see your faces.
The Arch is a St. Louis idea. Around Bolivar and the 417, you can borrow the same approach with a place that's part of your life. Our engagement photo ideas offer more ways to choose what belongs in your session.
Bring a sled into your snowy couple photos
A closer view of Brittany and Aaron in the snow.
Brittany and Aaron lift a sled together during their snowy engagement session.
Brittany and Aaron lift a sled over their heads in the snow, with her denim jacket and his plaid shirt still in view. There's movement in that photo, and then there's the closer portrait with her looking up at him. Those two views would make such a good pair of prints.
A sled gives you something to carry through the snow or lift together for a playful photo. Bring one you already use for snow days, and let it be part of the pictures. A knit hat or scarf can stay in the photos, too.
If you want a mix, choose a few pictures where you're looking at the camera and a few where you're looking at each other. Leave room for a walk or a small movement between those still portraits. You can point to the sled photo when you share the kind of session you have in mind.
Keep your winter photo session warm indoors
Ellie's indoor studio portrait.
Ellie's studio portraits are a reminder that a winter session can have a black tank, cream pants, and sneakers. You can sit on the floor, wear short sleeves, and choose the clothes you'd reach for inside. Winter on the calendar leaves plenty of room for that.
I like a plain background when you want your expression and clothes to lead. A favorite sweater works here, and so does the outfit you've been waiting for a reason to wear. You can keep the Christmas trees out of it and use the photos well beyond December.
For a family, you might choose everyone sitting together, siblings leaning against each other, or a parent holding a child. The family photography page has more examples to help you picture your own group.
If you're drawn to both snow and studio portraits, save one example of each. Tell us which part you love: the place, the sled, the Christmas set, or being warm indoors. That's a useful place to begin.
