Snow Photography Tips | Oregon Family Snow Photos
Chelsea, Brandon, and Chloe | Winter Family Session
It has been so much fun watching Chelsea and Brandon’s little family grow! For their winter family session, I photographed them in the same location where we did their maternity session, at Dorris Ranch in Springfield, Oregon. This beautiful location was also the place they spent time as a couple after finding out they were expecting their baby girl, Chloe. Dorris Ranch has a quaint rustic barn and hiking trails through Oregon filbert orchards that lead to the Willamette River.
This session was relaxed and playful. It’s so important that little ones have fun during my photo shoots. Photographing portraits in the snow is one of my absolute favorites! The white snow becomes a beautiful, and clean reflector that lights everyone evenly and makes skin tones look stunning!
Here are a few tips for photographing your family in the snow:
I hope these tips inspire parents who want to document family snow day adventures!
Overexpose your photos a bit so the snow looks white and crisp. If you are using a point and shoot camera, use the beach/snow setting and the camera will do this on it’s own.
Create contrast in your photos so the snow does not wash out the people in your photo. You can do this by dressing your subjects with splashes of color.
Pay attention to lighting! Plan your photo session early in the morning or an hour before sunset so the light is soft. If you are out during mid day, look for large areas of open shade.
Keep kiddos warm and well fed! A winter snow photo shoot can easily go downhill fast if your little ones are cold and hungry. Dress them in layers and make sure they are not getting wet.
Document playful moments like building a snowman or everyone having a snowball fight! Lifestyle family photography is all about allowing real moments to unfold and capturing authentic emotion!