Once upon a time, fall and winter for me was about a 10 degree difference from summer with some tropical rain and palm trees outside my window. Winters look a lot different around here now, but in Bend the changing leaves and pine trees and snow are absolutely beautiful and something I look forward to photographing families in! Yes, I am still in denial wearing my sandals outside occasionally (and immediately regretting that). We can state the obvious, that I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather, but I would hate for clients to be miserable during their session due to low temperatures so my hope from this is that you come well prepared and well dressed for your pictures so we can still have lots of fun and capture your family happily for the time you pay for. I know that it may not be 20 degrees if we’re taking these in the beginning of Fall but you can incorporate whatever you want below into your outfits.

When planning your outfits for your winter session here are a few things I want you to keep in mind:

Layering

Call me Captain Obvious here, but you can actually hide a good number of layers that will help you be warmer without making you look like a marshmallow.

I live for statement coats, pompom beanies, knit sweaters, scarves, and having everyone snuggle under a blanket. I suggest you bring more layers than less because this can actually add more variety to your pictures making it look like you brought several outfits but will keep you warm throughout. For example, thin thermals, with a long sleeved thin shirt, with a cute sweater over, with a cute pea coat or puffy jacket over. Please keep this in mind as well if your session is up Mt. Bachelor, where temperatures can be 10-15 degrees cooler than in Bend. Come in all the layers, or have a few extras in the car and then we can start to lose them as you’ve warmed up during our session. Great resources for thin thermals to wear under clothing are places like Costco, Columbia Outlet and other winter gear stores.

2. Hand and Feet Warmers

If you have these on hand bring them with you, or if you need them, I am happy to bring these. These are easy to stuff in gloves and pockets and don’t look bulky like a wallet or cellphone, I'm looking at you dads....These are great to keep littles fingers and toes happy. Stuff them in gloves, shoes, pockets, wherever they will stay. Just note, for feet warmers, to warm it up prior to putting it in shoes otherwise it won’t warm up!

3. Boots

For the most part, all of the locations I suggest are accessible, but given I haven’t been there before a giant snow fall, boots are highly encouraged! We will be walking through snow and I want you to be able to feel your feet. I think snow boots used to get a bad wrap for being ugly, but there are so many trendy and cute functional boots these days. Here’s a few examples below.

4. Winter Accessories

Beanies, scarves, thick socks, gloves, ear muffs, tights, blankets are the perfect thing to add to an outfit because not only do they tie the loose ends of an outfit together they can provide additional warmth. Have you seen how cute these types of things are right now? You cannot go wrong with putting a chunky knit beanie on your baby or wrapping them up like a burrito in a blanket for that matter. These details can make a whopping difference for little ones that are a part of these winter sessions. When my kids bare hands touch snow it is game over, so at least for your kids please plan gloves and hats into their outfits! If they seem fine without them as we get going we can ditch them.

Alright, now to the fun part of actually planning your outfits! The nice thing about snow is that its like working with a clean white back drop! This means you really can’t go wrong with what colors you choose to wear. However, IMO, I do suggest avoiding white, I mean unless you want to be a floating head. Cream will still pop against the snow but white will not. When I lived in Hawaii it was similar to having clients all come in blue and then putting them against the ocean with a bright clear blue sky, everyone starts to blend into the background.

Stick to Earth Tones and Neutral Colors

Bright, neon colors or logos clash easily and can leave weird colors on your skin when photographed. Neutral colors can go with any type of scenery and wont leave anyone sticking out like a sore thumb. Some colors and styles I am loving this season are deep blues, mustard yellow, reds, olive greens and corduroy. But cream can even work when tied with some darker colors or patterns. Mind you, if you are planning a snowy session, stay away from white in large quantities or creams. They will blend in with the snow and make you, frankly, naked lol. Stay away from “matchy matchy” type outfits ( i.e boys all in blue pants and the exact same button up shirt, girls all in the same gray dress with matching beanies). Your goal is to look coordinated vs. matching. This makes your group look so much more sophisticated and will give everyone all the heart eyes when they see your pictures on your walls. You can vary shades of colors within your outfits but stay away from putting everyone in the same exact color. Like stated above, bodies will start to blend together. I always want the focus of our session to be on your faces and your family connection, your outfits should enhance that connection and not distract from it. If you do want someone’s outfit to have a pattern or print, pick between 1-3 individuals and keep everyone else in neutrals or solids that coordinate to that. Here are some great examples, not taken by me, just found from Pinterest.

bend oregon family photographer-winter family outfit ideas

bend oregon family photographer-winter couple outfit ideas

Base All Outfits Off of Mom’s

Mom’s, were probably the most stressed when it comes to what to wear for our family pictures, which is why I’m giving you permission to pick first! Typically for my summer sessions, I am pushing for ladies to wear cute flowy dresses, but I will absolutely not force you into that unless you are sold on something already along those lines (just hide those thermals or cute tights underneath). Dark denim, a thick sweater with a scarf, a fun colored pea coat, or puffy jacket, boots, etc. Pick something that will look flattering, will be comfortable to move in AND make you feel good about yourself. Try and not go too casual here. Again, I am not forcing you to wear a dress in well below freezing weather, just wear something that is flattering to your body type. Stay away from pants with major distressing and rips, or shirts showing too much cleavage. Oversized sweaters, flannels, a statement winter coat will make all the difference for a winter session.

Men

Stick to a solid or simple patterned button up collared shirt. Pair it with a pull over sweater, zip up vest, or a solid colored jacket. Pair it with kakis, chinos or slacks if you’re wanting to look a little more dressed up for your pictures. Dark denim is always a win for men as well. Men get more durable and warm material options with their clothing. Something wool, solid colored puffers, vests are all great options that will help keep men warm if you are doing a winter session over a fall session.

Kids

Please be sure that your kids will be comfortable in what you want them to wear. I do think that their behavior during our session will be affected if something is too tight, itchy, scratchy, etc. If you’re worried about this, perhaps introduce the outfit a few days before and give them a chance to try it on with the additional accessories. Fun patterned sweaters and corduroy pants for girls, and you can squeeze an extra layer under pants or under a dress. They even make fleece lined tights for girls. Fleece or warm onesies and body suits for babies. Boys can be dressed similarly to dad with a button up shirt with nice pants and a sweater or jacket.

But if you are planning for winter sessions over a fall session, you are most worried about how the outer layers look to coordinate with the rest of the family. You can tie in colors with gloves, a puffer jacket, cute boots or a beanie for kids.

Bend Oregon Family photographer-winter outfit ideas

Accessories

Depending on how cold it is, things like necklaces and watches may not even be necessary if they are covered by something like a scarf or hat. Like stated above, I am all for hats, ear muffs, fun tights under a dress or jumper, gloves. I suggest you stay away from bulky or flashy jewelry, sunglasses, or snap back men’s hats.

Bend Oregon Family Photographer-winter outfit ideas for family pictures

Shoes

Keep it functional but cute. Can you call men's boots cute? Don't know, but we're doing it. Uggs, Snow boots, tall boots are all winners and if they're water proof or fleece lined for kids even better!

If you’ve made it this far, a million golden stars to you!! Also, if after all of this you're still feeling overwhelmed or wanting a second opinion on what you've picked for your family, never hesitate to ask if what you've chosen will photograph well. Central Oregon winters are beautiful and its always so fun to be able to capture families in all seasons! Can’t wait to photograph yours!

Here’s some examples of families that have dressed great for their colder weather sessions!