As a Canadian, winter is just such a huge part of our lives. It’s cold for so long and cold! But I love how beautiful the winter season can be when we are prepared before hand. I get the question every year about how to prepare for a winter photo session in Saskatchewan. Here are some tips to have a successful winter photo session in Saskatchewan!

1. Make sure you are Warm

First and foremost: layers, layers, layers! Adults can pretend to be happy and warm (at least for a little while). I’ve learned the key to warmth is layers. When preparing for a winter photo session, I recommend long underwear. It’s a great way to keep your core temperature up, without adding too much bulk.

If you want to wear a dress, first of all, it will be beautiful and pretty epic, but know it will be cold. We will do lots of warm up breaks and put on coats between poses.

And then hand warmers, foot warmers, toe warmers. If you are miserable, it will show in the pictures. I try to get a mix of some with jackets off and on. I start with a few off, because coats add bulk to the body.

Adding assessories like scarfs, toques, and mitts will help to add warmth but adding style and visual interest to your outfit. Just be sure that it matches the rest of your outfits.

Just please don’t wear a bright neon ski jacket. If you are going to wear a winter coat, neutral or even a dressier coat will be key.

2. If there are kids involved

If there are kids involved in the session, being warm is key. Wear a nice neutral or a pop of color coat. Regular winter coats that you would use to go sledding doesn’t photograph super well. Find one that is more simple or dressy. If you know your child hates the cold, there’s no point in dressing them in something cute sweater without a coat. It can get very cold in Saskatchewan! Having happy, cooperative kids trumps cute outfits any day. Don’t forget warm but cute boots!

3. Location that is close to the car

We will do our winter session at a place where we have have the car running for quick warm up breaks! This will help our noses not be so red, and to help get you warmer.

4. Shorter Sessions

Because of weather and cold, winter sessions are usually shorter. Your fingers, toes and nose will thankful for that! 🙂 15-30 minutes is great amount of time.

5. Have some fun!

Playing in the snow will be so much fun and it will create some fun memories. Yes your hands may get cold (that’s where the mitts and hand warmers will come into play after), but it makes for some fun photos! Plus feeling like a kid and playing in the snow will be fun!

6. Bring a blanket

Wrap yourself up in a blanket adds warmth between poses, but also include it as a prop for the session. Bring a blanket that matches your outfit.

For some sitting shots, I will bring a shower curtain to put under the blanket so you won’t get a wet bum. (I do this also if it has rained in the the warmer months.)

7. Practical footwear

Wear some warm but cute boots! When the snow is deep, consider if the snow will just cover your shoes all together. Be practical. It won’t make sense to wear stilettos in the forest covered in snow. I also don’t want anyone to injure themselves. Being mobile allows you to play in the snow, pose, walk and adapt to changing terrain. I always recommend winter boots/ hiking boots. If you have a long dress, it’ll be covered anyway or buried in the snow if we are out in nature.

8. Waterproof mascara

When it gets cold and windy, you don’t want to tear up and look like a streaked raccoon. Waterproof mascara will be your friend on cooler days!

9. Be willing to be flexible if the weather calls for it

There’s a higher chance of inclement weather, especially in Saskatchewan in the winter months, which means that a session could easily get snowed out or cancelled due to extreme temperatures. It’s not fun to have your photo taken in nasty weather, which can make the session (and memories associated with it) somewhat unenjoyable, which is the very LAST thing I would ever want! You won’t enjoy it and my camera gear won’t like it either! I am definitely ok to postpone winter session for warmer winter days if super windy or cold.

10. Winter Sessions are BEAUTIFUL!!

And lastly, winter sessions are beautiful!! Yes, winter may be cold, but if you can handle the cold for a bit, the photos will be so stunning!! Just check out these winter photos!

For more options for “What to Wear” for your session, you can check out this blog post.

What else do you think helps to make a winter session great? Let me know in the comments below!