header parallax image
Focus: the From the Hip Photo blog

Photo inspiration, ideas for session locations, and expert tips by Denver Colorado's best team of photographers

  • Home
  • Main Website
  • Home
  • Main Website
EducationEngagementsHints & Tips

Tips for Taking Winter Engagement Photos

February 20, 2020 April 1, 2020 From the Hip Photo1 comment4935 views

Engagement photos are an exciting way to spread the news of your upcoming wedding while also allowing you to interact with your photographer before your wedding day. More importantly, engagement photos are more than just pictures — they’re memories! You want to be able to look back on your journey and remember all the beautiful moments that led up to your big day. The best engagement photoshoot experiences always require some planning, more so when you opt for a winter session. Luckily, we’re here to lend you a hand with some of our top tips.

Put thought into your location

Most couples and photographers would agree that a great deal of consideration goes into selecting a site for an engagement photoshoot. In this case, when you’re taking photos outdoors in the cold and potentially wet elements. It’s crucial to choose a spot with these factors in mind.

There are several routes you can take when deciding on a location. A great place to start is a meaningful setting for you and your fiancé. Our super-fun Adventure Guide is a great tool for helping you find the perfect location! From that point, let the seasonal aspects guide you. You might choose a location that highlights the best parts of winter. The dazzling holiday lights in Downtown Denver or the frosted pines trees of Sapphire Point make great starting points! If you’re still struggling to decide, your photographer may be able to help with location scouting. 

Condition your skin and locks

Once you have your location set in stone, it’s time to start conditioning yourselves to be camera-ready! The dry air and cold temperatures during the winter months can be especially rough on skin and hair, causing dryness, itchiness, and irritation that stand out in photos. So, it’s best to focus on cosmetic preparations that work to retain moisture—this goes for the fellas too! To achieve radiant skin in the winter, consider upping your H2O intake, using a humidifier, and avoiding hot showers that strip the skin of natural oils. 

Since the dry winter air can leave hair flat against the scalp, it’s important to keep your locks strong and in-tact. Avoid wearing hats in your photoshoot that can draw attention away from your faces. For the ladies, hair products with style memory will keep your hair shape and texture in place despite blustery winter winds. As for the gentlemen, those with longer hair might benefit from styling their strands back into a chic man-bun. On the other hand, those self-conscious about premature balding spots should consider prepping with a hair-thickening medication to feel confident throughout the entire shoot. These small preparations will leave you both confident during the shoot and leave you with photos that you remember fondly.

Plan for the elements

Most engagement photoshoots last from sixty to ninety minutes, longer if your session includes multiple locations. Being outdoors for this duration of time requires planning to keep you warm, comfortable, and safe from the elements. Regardless of sun or clouds, remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed areas before you step outside for your winter wonderland photoshoot.

To combat chilly temperatures, try to take breaks whenever possible by going indoors to warm up. It can also help to bring tissues in case of a runny nose, and a canteen of hot cocoa or tea! Dress in layers to stay warm in between takes. Take advantage of hidden layers, such as wearing an extra pair of socks. Lastly, bring an extra change of clothes. Between wet snow, slush, and spills, you never know what could happen!

If you’re looking for a creative and beautiful way to share your engagement bliss, consider a winter photoshoot and use these tips to ensure it’s everything you’ve dreamed of! 

colorado engagement photographyengagementengagement photographyengagement photosoutdoor engagement photosweddingwedding photographerwedding photos Coloradowinterwinter engagementwinter photographyWinter photos
From the Hip PhotoFebruary 20, 2020
previous story

Winter Photos at The Maven Hotel in Denver, Colorado

next story

The Tripp Family + A Snowy Evergreen Lake = Awesome Photos!

From the Hip Photo

From the Hip Photo

From the Hip Photo is Colorado's best photography team. Based in Denver, they photograph assignments across the country and the globe for individuals, couples, families, businesses, and non-profits. Their photo adventures have taken them to Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Russia, among other spots.

you might also like

Winter Photography Tips | Colorado

February 20, 2020 April 1, 2020

A Night Out in RiNo with Redfin

February 20, 2020 April 1, 2020
Wedding Proposal - Photo Edition - Pro Tips and What To Expect

Surprise Engagement Proposal: Pro Photo Tips

February 20, 2020 April 1, 2020

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: An Intimate Engagement at Denver Union Station – FOCUS
  2. Pingback: A flash, a speedlight and a strobe. What's the difference? - photoopia

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Focus

Focus: the From the Hip Photo blog
Focus is the blog from the team at From the Hip Photo. We're Colorado's best-reviewed photography team and ply our craft from our Denver studio and around the globe.

We hope that Focus will illuminate more about who we are, the photographs we capture, and the joys of being professional artists. Enjoy your visit!

freshest goodness

Coffee cocktail with beautiful presentation

Colorado Coffee Community Photos

April 16, 2025 April 16, 2025
Varya Malina from "90 Day Fiancé" posing with giant purple crayon at Denver's Selfie Museum

Capture Your Vibe with Denver’s Coolest Creative Portrait Studio

February 18, 2025 February 17, 2025

Find the Best Photographer in Colorado for All Your Picture Needs

February 4, 2025 February 3, 2025

Denver’s Go-To for Event and Conference Photography

January 20, 2025 January 20, 2025

Categories

  • ADVENTURE GUIDE
  • Boulder
  • Branding
  • Contest
  • Corporate
  • Denver
  • Education
  • Engagements
  • Events
  • Exposure!
  • Family
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Fox Family
  • Gardens
  • Golden
  • Headshots
  • Hints & Tips
  • Holiday
  • Hospitality
  • How To
  • Indoors
  • Maternity
  • Mountains
  • Nature
  • Newborn
  • Nonprofit
  • Park
  • Portraits
  • Product
  • Proposals
  • Seniors
  • Stanley Family
  • Trails
  • Uncategorized
  • Urban
  • Venues
  • Water
  • Weddings

Recent Posts

  • Colorado Coffee Community Photos
  • Capture Your Vibe with Denver’s Coolest Creative Portrait Studio
  • Find the Best Photographer in Colorado for All Your Picture Needs
  • Denver’s Go-To for Event and Conference Photography
  • Winter Photography Tips | Colorado

Recent Comments

  • How to Take Frameable Photos of Your Kids | Tanglewood Art and Frame on Candid Photography vs Posed Photography
  • Masterful Food Photography at Hello Betty in Oceanside, CA on Denver Bar & Food Photography
  • Denver Restaurant Photographer Featuring Photos From Annette on #Foodstagram | Annette
  • Spruce Mountain Ranch Event Photography on Spruce Mountain Ranch | From Cattle Ranch to Wedding Venue
  • Candid Engagement at Red Rocks on Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre Photos

Archives

  • April 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • September 2024
  • July 2024
  • May 2024
  • February 2024
  • November 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • July 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015

Categories

  • ADVENTURE GUIDE
  • Boulder
  • Branding
  • Contest
  • Corporate
  • Denver
  • Education
  • Engagements
  • Events
  • Exposure!
  • Family
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Fox Family
  • Gardens
  • Golden
  • Headshots
  • Hints & Tips
  • Holiday
  • Hospitality
  • How To
  • Indoors
  • Maternity
  • Mountains
  • Nature
  • Newborn
  • Nonprofit
  • Park
  • Portraits
  • Product
  • Proposals
  • Seniors
  • Stanley Family
  • Trails
  • Uncategorized
  • Urban
  • Venues
  • Water
  • Weddings

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org