Who knew a spontaneous snow photo shoot with my daughter could be so epic!

tips and tricks for capturing snow portraits


As a parent, there are few things more precious than capturing beautiful moments of your children. With the arrival of winter, there are endless opportunities to capture these moments, and one of the most stunning backdrops for a photo shoot is a fresh blanket of snow. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing my beautiful daughter right outside our front door with a snowy forest scene as the backdrop. I want to share my experience and tips for taking the perfect winter photographs.


First and foremost, it is essential to dress your child appropriately for the cold weather. Layers are essential, and it's important to make sure they're warm enough so they can enjoy the photo shoot. A winter coat, hat, gloves, and warm boots are a must, as well as warm socks and pants. Dressing your child warmly will ensure they're comfortable and add depth and texture to your photographs.

Beautiful girl with a pink Carhartt beanie on in the snow pulling on her pigtails while wearing a black jacket.
Young lady holding Black French Bulldog while posing in the snow with a forest in the background.

Layer up. scout locations. Set the scene. focus.


Once your child is dressed, it's time to find the perfect location for your photoshoot. The best location for a winter photoshoot is a location that has a fresh blanket of snow. Find an open area that is not too busy or noisy, as this can be distracting to your child. A park or a field is a great location as they provide plenty of open space and natural light.


When taking photos of your child, try to focus on their natural expressions and movements. Encourage them to play in the snow, build snowmen, or throw snowballs. These activities will provide a great opportunity to capture natural, candid moments. To capture these moments, use a fast shutter speed and continuous shooting mode to take multiple shots in a short amount of time.


When it comes to the composition of your photographs, try to follow the rule of thirds. This involves dividing your photo into thirds both horizontally and vertically and placing your subject off-center at one of the intersecting points. This will add interest and balance to your photos.


In terms of equipment, you don't need a fancy camera to take great winter photos. A smartphone camera is often more than enough, but if you have a camera, try using a telephoto lens to capture your child's expressions up close, or a wide-angle lens to capture the surrounding snowy landscape.


In conclusion, photographing your child in a fresh blanket of snow can be a magical and rewarding experience. By dressing your child appropriately, finding the perfect location, capturing natural moments, and following basic photography principles, you can create stunning winter photographs that will be cherished for years to come.