Who are our winter fans? We know that the snowy season can be a beautiful time to take family pictures, but often people are scared of the cold. We all want to take cute pictures, but often don’t feel super cute all bundled up in our puffy winter coat, scarves wrapped up to our ears, and silly hats on. But we’re here to say that beautiful looking family pictures in the snow are still possible—and we have 3 tips for you!

It’s still possible to book a session even in the snow. Actually they can be quite sought after. We often get inquiries when snow is on the ground for some last minute sessions. If winter vibes is what you’re after be sure to let us know sooner rather than later. We have a list of people who want sessions that we know to call when snow starts to fall.

1. Hand Warmers

You can buy disposable hand warmers (our favorite brand is Hot Hands) off of Amazon. They now even sell ones for your boots and body! If you are planning any winter outing, even if it’s not for pictures, we highly recommend you give these a shot. They work by creating a chemical reaction that gives off heat. These can go in your gloves or in your coat pockets, and to be honest I would not recommend a winter photo shoot without them.

2. Layers, Layers, Layers.

Be prepared to take your big puffy coat on and off often during your session. We try to make things really quick (especially when kids are involved) and knock out the family portraits right at the beginning. Then you can slip your coat back on, play around in the snow for some lifestyle images, and before you know it your kids will be warmed up again and okay with the idea of taking their coat off for a few more pictures.

Obviously the above tip doesn’t mean taking your coat off should leave you with nothing warm underneath. We recommend lots of layers like sweaters and cute jackets or fuzzy vests. Scarves are also really great to keep on for pictures and can look amazingly cozy in your wintery images. Even a blanket can be a layer you throw around your entire family.

3. Waterproof your shoes!

Our final tip is to waterproof your shoes. It’s actually quite a simple thing to do and only requires minimal planning ahead. You’ll need a waterproofing spray like Scotchgard or Kiwi. Follow the instructions on the bottle, but typically you spray it on, leave it to dry for 24hrs, and then water will bead off your shoes and boots when they get wet. This will absolutely save your feet from feeling like icicles during your session.

Ultimately, these tips are all about thinking about what you can do to keep your family warm. With winter and snowy sessions, we play it a lot by ear and roll with the punches in regards to how you are feeling. We often take breaks to warm up in our cars, run around to try to warm up and get some of those giggles, and simply make sure that you and your family are staying as comfortable as possible. If you have any snowy weather tips please let them in the comment section below to help out other families looking to schedule family pictures in the snow.