I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! One of the many things I’m grateful for are the mild winters we have here in Houston, Texas. I love that outdoor portrait photography is possible year-round, but I realize that’s not the case for everyone. If one of your holiday to-dos is getting family pictures for cards or gifts and you have your heart set on doing it outside, here are some tips for taking pictures in cold weather.

Plan Ahead

The time to decide what kind of photographs you want is when you’re comfortably warm at home, not tramping through the snow. Decide ahead of time what shots you want so you can get them as quickly as possible.

Dress in Layers

Coats may be warm, but they don’t always make for the prettiest outfits. If you’re wondering what to wear when taking pictures in cold weather, the secret is: layers. Layering keeps you warm while offering the opportunity for some fun pops of color. So when it’s time to take pictures, leave the coat and get out your cutest scarves, hats, sweaters, and boot cuffs.

Use Cozy Props

You may not think about props when taking pictures outside, but they can be a fun way to add interest (and warmth) to holiday photos. Blankets or a cute thermos can do double duty by adding a cozy vibe to your photos and keeping you toasty at the same time.

Work with the Environment

You can still get gorgeous photographs when it’s overcast, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of that suffused light. Backgrounds can sometimes be not so pretty in the winter, so another tip is to set your camera so that it blurs the background. This will put the focus squarely on your subject, not the bare trees.

I hope these tips for taking pictures in cold weather inspire you to brave the elements and capture those beautiful outdoor holiday photos!