Winter photoshoot ideas: 25 snowy, cozy and city looks

Wear one color that pops

Snow and winter streets are mostly white and grey, which makes them the perfect backdrop for one strong color. Plan the outfit around that single accent.

Ready-made winter looks if you want the finished clip from one selfie: cozy cabin (snow outside, fire inside), holiday ice rink, après-ski on a sunny chalet terrace and the Christmas market stroll.

• A red, cobalt or emerald puffer against white snow.
• A camel or chocolate coat on grey city streets.
• A bright knit beanie or scarf with an otherwise neutral outfit.
• All cream or all white for a soft, snowy editorial look.
• Black long coat at night with lit shop windows behind you.

Snow day ideas

• Catching snowflakes on your tongue, shot from slightly below.
• Lying in fresh snow and making a snow angel, photographed from above.
• Walking through a snowy park path with trees on both sides.
• Throwing a handful of snow toward the camera, in burst mode.
• Breath fogging in cold air, side-lit by low sun.
• Sledding or a snowball fight, candid and blurry on purpose.

No snow where you live? A photo from any cold day can be restyled into a snowy forest in AI Image, the same look as the example at the top of this page.

Camera settings for snow

Phones see a bright white scene and try to make it middle grey, so snow comes out dull and faces too dark. A few small changes fix it.

1. Step 1

   Tap on your face

   This sets focus and exposure on you instead of the snow.

2. Step 2

   Raise exposure slightly

   Drag the sun icon up a little until the snow looks white, not grey.

3. Step 3

   Shoot in soft light

   Overcast days and the hour after sunrise avoid harsh glare and squinting.

4. Step 4

   Keep the phone warm

   Cold drains batteries fast; keep it in an inside pocket between shots.

Cozy indoor winter shoots

Some of the best winter photos are taken inside looking out. Turn the overhead light off and let warm lamps and the window do the work.

• A window seat with a blanket, a hot drink and snow outside.
• Chunky knitwear and wool socks by a fireplace or a heater.
• Steam rising from a mug, held in both hands, shot close.
• Fogged window with a drawn heart or initials.
• Reading in bed with fairy lights along the headboard.

For the holiday version with trees and lights, see our Christmas photoshoot ideas.

City nights in winter

Winter evenings start early, which gives you more blue hour and more lit windows. A long coat and wet pavement do most of the work.

• Walking under string lights on a shopping street.
• Standing in a shop doorway with warm light behind you.
• Reflections on wet pavement after rain or melted snow.
• Headphones, a long coat and city lights, shot from across the street.

For the film-still grade, try the cinematic photo filter on a selfie, or read our cinematic photo tips.

Make snow fall in your photo

A winter still becomes a story opener when the snow actually falls. Pick a photo with some sky or dark background around you and send it to AI Video.

1. Step 1

   Describe the snow

   Try "snow falls gently, she looks up and smiles, breath fogs in the cold air, slow push-in".

2. Step 2

   Keep the motion small

   Small movements look real; big turns or walks can blur your face.

3. Step 3

   Add music and post

   Clips come back silent, so add a song before posting it as the first slide.