Every year, multiple families reach out to me after the Thanksgiving rush to book holiday photos. While winter pictures in New England are definitely possible, there are some nuances that you will want to be aware of. One of the most important aspects is the difference in what to wear for winter family pictures. Because it can be very cold in Connecticut past mid-November, there are a few steps that you will want to take to make sure that your family is prepared for winter family portraits.
What To Wear for Winter Family Pictures: Dress It Up
Have you been eyeing a gorgeous dress, but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! Remember: there’s no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your portrait session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! The more confident you feel in your outfit, the more you are going to like your pictures. I always tell my clients, dress like you’re going to a wedding!
Those are the pictures you’re more likely to want to share with friends and family and display in your home. The same way that a dress is the most flattering silhouette for the female body, a blazer, sport coat or jacket has the same flattering effect for men. You can’t go wrong with a dress shirt, slacks and a blazer. Take a look at your social media profile pictures. They’re usually from a time you were dressed up for a special event and you knew a professional photographer would be there. This is another opportunity to have portraits you want to share with all of your friends and families.
What To Wear for Winter Family Pictures: Choosing Colors
For most seasons in Connecticut , I encourage clients to wear neutral palettes with a lot of earth tones and whites. Winter family portraits are another story. If you wear these classic neutrals, you may actually blend into the scenery too much! If there is snow on the ground, bold colors give your portraits a special pop. Blacks will actually be even more flattering against a white backdrop, so don’t be afraid of moving more towards bold colors for your winter family session. Here are a few recent galleries with clients that have done a great job coordinating their outfits to match the winter season.
What To Wear for Winter Family Pictures: Accessories
Winter accessories can be a great way to add a special touch when you are deciding what to wear for winter family pictures. Accessories like hats, gloves and scarves can not only keep you warm, but be a nice finishing touch. And believe it or not, certain coat styles can lend themselves really nice to family portraits. If you decide to wear coats, you will want to wear a more fitted style and avoid the actual ski jacket look. If you have young children, this may be a great way to keep them warm during your session. The best part? A fancy coat and accessories can be used all winter! Win, win!
What To Wear for Winter Family Pictures: Layers, Layers, Layers
Again, winter family sessions can be COLD! By being strategic about your accessories and layers, you can help to avoid that. You can read more about how to effectively use accessories in this blog post.
Nothing beats a winter session in Connecticut. Yes, it can be cold. Yes, the snow can be unpredictable. But the natural reflection of the snow provides a super flattering effect on all skin tones. Not to mention, winter family portraits make for amazing holiday photos that can be sent to family and friends. If you want to book a winter family session, you can reach out about my availability here. If a mini session is more your speed at the moment, you can see available dates here. Please note that holiday mini sessions are limited and sell out quickly. If you’re not on my mailing list, be sure to sign up today to get a sneak peek at all the prime spots!
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