While there may not be some hidden key to success in perfecting every shot, there are definitely some good ways to capture New England’s winter landscapes in your next photo session.

From snowy backdrops to frost-covered details, we’ll equip you with techniques and essential gear recommendations to elevate your winter photography game.

Embrace the Cold

Stay warm and mobile with layered clothing and weatherproof camera gear.

It may seem like common sense but check the weather and dress accordingly! Some thin gloves that allow you to remain mobile are always a good idea, and even hand/feet warmers are a good backup. If you can grab a cheap rain cover for your camera (yes, even if it’s “weatherproof”), it’ll be worth every penny.

Bonus points for bringing extra hand warmers for your subjects!

When it comes to batteries, their lifespan is often much shorter for a single charge. Bring fully-charged backup batteries to make sure you don’t miss a shot.

Lastly, spend some time getting adjusted before your photoshoot. Scope out some locations that might be blocking out the wind, think through ways you can make your clients the most comfortable, and formulate a plan. From here, you’ll be adjusted to the elements and you’ll maximize the time you have before others get too cold and uncomfortable.

Always remember: if your clients are uncomfortable, it will likely show!

Mastering Exposure

Always take a few minutes to get set up and acclimated to your new environment. Once you’ve got your gear out and ready, check your camera settings! It seems like a no-brainer, but make sure you’ve checked your ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, focus settings, and remove that relentless lens cap.

You don’t want to be stuck on the same settings after photographing a skyline at night and end up capturing so much noise you need to give a full refund.

With snow, it’s a bit more challenging to capture and takes some thought to get it right. Yes, editing can help after-the-fact, but it’s way better to get it right and avoid over-editing.

Snow is very reflective and makes exposure difficult to anticipate so you’ll want to stay in Manual mode. Matrix metering helps account for exposure throughout the whole image, and setting your white balance to about 8000k is a good starting point. If it’s blue, increase and if it’s pink, dial it down a bit.

Exposure compensation can be a good backup if you’re still struggling to get some quality images with the settings necessary for your environment.

Remember, the goal is to fine-tune your settings as best you can to avoid underexposure and preserve as much detail as possible. Using your histogram can also be helpful in understanding over/underexposure.

Composition Tips

Find and emphasize contrast.

Don’t just stand in an open field covered in snow, there’s no detail! Everything beyond your subjects could be blurry, but adding darker elements to your backdrops make for captivating compositions.

Trees can frame subjects very well, even when out of focus. If you’re in the city, snow-covered architecture can make for an intriguing backdrop. I often start by looking for symmetry or even things that can wrap around the edges of the photo, then test out different apertures to see what feels best. Incorporate leading lines and diagonal compositions can also be a good way to add depth and visual interest.

Feel free to experiment with different perspectives and foreground elements to create compelling winter imagery as well.

Capturing Frosty Details

Winter photography doesn’t always translate to photographing a couple in front of some vast, snow-covered landscape.

Take some time to explore macro photography as well. Some incredible beauty lies in the details, especially right after (or even during) a fresh snowfall. Snow easily creates intricate frost patterns on all kinds of surfaces. Take some time to enjoy and photograph those unique details.

You don’t always need a macro lens to capture the details either. Yes, it can be good to have for the smallest details or even individual snowflakes or ice crystals. Many times, it comes down entirely to perspective. Take some time to experiment with depth of field to isolate the frosty details against soft, blurred backgrounds.

Conquering Low Light

In the golden hours of the day, leverage the soft, warm light while the snow is not reflecting nearly as much light as it would during the middle of the day.

To find the right balance during this time of day, though, it can be helpful to have a tripod (or if you want to be more mobile, a monopod) to ensure you’re able to slow down your shutter speed in low light conditions. You’ll want to make sure your subjects are aware too as motion can make shots blurry rather easily.

One thing to consider is the lens you’re using. Prime lenses and lenses with a wide aperture are invaluable in low light situations. They’re often fast and able to absorb more light even when much less is available without creating very noisy images.

Recommended Gear

Take some time to prepare for a shoot that relies on more trying weather conditions. Giving it some thought can make or break your session.

Here are some critical gear options to consider before your next winter photography session:

• Weather-sealed camera bodies and lenses for durability in snowy conditions.
• Wide-angle and telephoto lenses for versatile composition options.
• Tripods for stability and long exposure shots in low light.
• Lens hoods and polarizing filters for glare reduction and color enhancement.
• Hand warmers and weatherproof camera covers for extended shooting sessions in the cold.

Conclusion

Don’t let the cold weather deter you—embrace the season and capture its breathtaking beauty with confidence.

By going into your next session actively thinking about exposure, composition, and low light techniques, you’ll unlock the full potential of winter landscapes and frosty details. Especially in New England, an area of the country bursting with opportunities for a few months of the year.