As I write this, Portland is in the middle of quite possibly the weirdest week in history. First, we get Daylight Savings, which always sucks. Then, the Corona Insanity begins. The excitement continues with a full moon and Friday the 13th just to shake things up. ANNNDDD, just when we all think things couldn’t get any stranger…we wake up to a snow “storm” in Portland.

Since we are all on quarantine, there is no better time than now to try and get some fun snow photos. Just remember to keep your social distance! ;)

Getting a great photo in the snow is harder than it seems, not to mention the challenge of clicking away with frozen fingers. But since snow acts as a natural reflector, it can make for really stunning portraits if you know a thing or two.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to taking pretty pics in the snow, with professional cameras or smartphones. The biggest issues you will find will be Grey snow, Blue Snow, and Exposure Issues (usually with overexposed faces or loss of detail of the snow). I will address those issues below.

At the bottom of this post also includes some fun snow “posing” ideas to give you some fun variety for snow shoots!

Tips for taking snowy pics:

Fingerless Gloves - I absolutely can’t take photos without these in the cold months. They are cute, cheap (under $10!), keep your hands relatively warm and you can still press the shutter button! If you shove some hand warmers inside the gloves, you will be all set!
Sunrise and shout - To capture the most of freshly fallen snow, get up early before cars and kids have destroyed the scene. Pretty details like tiny snowflakes and icicles will melt quickly when temperatures rise, so click them while you can!
Find Contrast - Auto focus can struggle when everything is white. It helps to find something darker to focus on before clicking the shutter. A brightly colored scarf, gloves, sled, or hat will give your camera something to focus on. It may also be helpful for exposure if you stand near a tree or an object in your environment that helps to block a little of the light to help avoid overexposure.
Snow Flakes - If you want to see the flakes as they fall, use a faster shutter speed!

Clouds are cool - Snowy hills and sunny skies are a beautiful combo, but you’ll get great pics with some cloud coverage. Overcast skies will keep the sun from reflecting off the snow, or causing unflattering squints. Break up all the white tones with bright focal points like pine trees or a red barn, or create a dreamy vignette with white on white. If the sun is out and bright, experiment with your aperture to get fun sun flares in the snow.

Don’t underexpose yourself - Too much white makes your camera think the lighting is too bright, so it will underexpose everything, turning fresh snow blue or gray. You can adjust the exposure level on your camera before shooting, or correct the brightness and contrast using editing apps.

Cover your camera - Cameras and phones are sensitive to moisture and cold, so keep them covered while you set up your shot. Make sure your phone is fully charged before heading out because batteries drain quickly in frozen temps. For digital cameras, keep an extra battery warm in your pocket as backup.

Layer up - This tip has double meaning. First, bundle up in layers of winter gear so that you can peel them off or pile them on as the weather shifts. Second, layer up elements in your photo so they aren’t in a straight line. Depth and variety will give your photos dimension and interest.

Wait until dark - Daytime snow is stunning, but some of the best snowy pics can be taken after sunset. The calm of the snow mixed with the quiet of night makes everything look cozier. So step outside for a pic of your chimney smoking, a street lamp lighting falling flurries, or one last shot of the snowy landscape before it melts.
Extra Batteries - Your iphone and camera will drain battery FAST when it gets cold. Be sure and bring an extra battery or an external charger (that one is my fave) for your phone if you don’t want it to die before you get all the shots you need!

Tips for Snow Portrait POSING:

Get Close - It is usually easier to get good exposure and pretty skin tones if you get up a little closer. Your camera can get confused with too much white, but if your model fills up more of the frame, it makes exposure a lot easier!
Look up - This is one of the easiest ways to pose in snow. Look up at it. Look up at the snow and smile. We always feel like a little kid when we look up at the snow and feel lit hit our face. Soak it up that feeling and it will make a great photo.
Throw or Blow Snow - This is a classic, but cup your hands together and blow the snow towards the photographer and it makes for a flattering face and fun composition. If the snow is too heavy to blow, you can have someone else toss snow in front of the camera to make it look like there is a lot of snow. Just be careful to not get your camera too wet.
Twirl in the snow - Grab a scarf or plaid blanket and twirl for the camera. Movement poses are always my favorite and it is almost impossible to twirl without smiling naturally.
Show off those cute boots, gloves, scarves, hats - accessorize and show those cute accessories off by putting your gloved hands by your face. Holding onto your scarf with both hands, getting down low to show off the boots and getting up close to see all the details!
Have fun and experiment! We don’t get snow here very often. Make the most of your time outdoors and try different angles, backgrounds, lighting, and accessories!