I’ll be honest, I used to hate shooting in the winter, I’d rather bake in a 90 degree sun than be chilled to the bone. But in Colorado, and especially in western Colorado, it can be warm.

In my years of living in Colorado, I have learned some tips and tricks to staying warm on your next winter couple photoshoot. But first, let’s go over some reason why you should have your photoshoot in the winter.

Why elope or get photos during the winter?

It’s less crowded. Because other people don’t like the cold too.
Big chunky flakes of snow are GORGEOUS and so fun to shoot in.
You wake up, you get some fun photos taken with your partner, you go to bed, and now you’re one day closer to it being summer again.
The sun usually sets around 5 pm in the winter which means you still have plenty of time to go out to eat afterwards and have a nice little date night.
If alcohol is your thing, you can drink plenty in order to warm up during our time together.
Privacy privacy privacy. It’s the one time of year that you can have some of the more popular spots all to yourselves.

01. cuddle up

Okay, this one is a no brainer. You’re there with your partner, your dog, now GET CLOSE. Cuddle up real close, steal your significant others body heat. The closer you are, the more your body heat will just radiate off of each other. Don’t question it, it’s just science!

02. bring blankets!

Blankets are your best friend, no trust me, they are. Pendleton wool blankets are my favorite because of the fun colors and patterns they bring to a photo. Rumpls are great too, they’re down blankets that are SO immediately warm, it’s literally like hugging yourself with a giant warm cloud. But really, any blanket will do.

Blankets are great for a couple of reasons:

You can set your things on them so they don’t get wet from snow or mud
You can sit on them so you don’t get snow or mud on you
You can wrap them around you to keep warm

03. bring hothands/hand harmers

Air activated, these little guys are amazing. Hot Hands specific brand comes in warmers of different shapes, sizes, and body part specialties (get your head out of the gutter!). They have ones for hands, for feet, for your body, the options of places you can shove them is endless! If you’re not into the one use and throw them away type vibe (who is these days!), consider checking your local gear shop for battery powered hand warmers, because its 2022 and thats a thing now!

If you forget to bring some to your shoot, don’t worry! There is a good chance that I’ve got a stockpile ready for you.

04. find warm dressy coats

If you’re like me and all of your outdoor jackets are technical jackets, head to your local thrift store and look for a knee length wool jacket! So friggen warm, and you can score some seriously cool vintage coats that way.

If you don’t have a winter jacket you like, just reach out and let me know! I rent out winter jackets for sessions, including the below Pendleton Woolen Mills plaid cape, the white long wool jacket, as well as the print Pendleton Woolen Mills jacket in the campfire section :)

05. wear layers

Outside in the winter, layers are still important. Just because you’re getting your photo taken, doesn’t mean you should ignore this very important rule.

Most thermal/base layers like smartwool and patagonia are so thin now that they won’t make your clothing look bulky, which I know is essential to feeling good while in front of the camera that already adds ten pounds.

If you want to wear a dress, find skin tone fleece lined leggings, or wool leggings like the bride above.

Hats, gloves, insulated and waterproof boots are also SO IMPORTANT Y’ALL. You can also try swapping out your foot bed with one of those insulated warming ones. And wear two layers of socks, I recommend a thinner insulating one and a thicker wool one on the outside. Also, change your socks throughout our time together, or right before our time together. My feet sweat on the way to trailheads so to keep it from then getting cold outside, I put my socks and shoes on when I get there :)

06. bring warm drinks

In between locations and outfit changes, warming up in the car is a MUST. Level up those car warmups with some warm coffee or hot cocoa in your yeti (or a hot toddy, who are we kidding). If your session is scheduled on a cool day or night and you want a warm beverage but forgot to pick one up or can’t make one, let me know! Most of the time I have the ability to warm something up for you from my car, or let me know before hand if you want something warm at the shoot.

07. have a campfire during your winter photoshoot

Ahhh yes what is that smell lingering on your clothing two weeks later? Why it’s the everlasting smell of burning wood. Campfires usually consist of fire which is - you guessed it - so warm. The best way to end your winter photoshoot? Cuddle up on a blanket with some hot cocoa in hand in front of a campfire. BOOM. Full circle.

08. run around and move, A LOT

The best part about having your picture taken with me is that I give a lot of prompts that include movement, which is especially important in the winter when standing still can make you cold.

When you move around, your feet will be better insulated because the snow isn’t taking all of that warmth. You also get to warm up your core, and pretty soon that 35 degree temperature will feel like 50.

09. warm up in a hot spring

One of the many great things about Colorado is the proximity to a hot spring, no matter where you are in the state (unless you’re in the plains, then you’re just out of luck haha).

One of my favorite ways to warm up is to end a session at a natural hot spring. While there is no guarantee that you’ll have the place to your selves - booking your session on a weekday definitely helps.

10. bring a tent or hammock to snuggle in

Yes you can bring a hammock or tent to your session! Talk about fun props AND an excuse to get all cuddly to warm up together. Whether you throw the rainfly on in order to insulate the tent better or not, they still make awesome props.