Maine & NH Wedding Photographer | A Photographer’s Guide to Surviving (and Thriving) in Below-Freezing Shoots

Listen… winter weddings are their own vibe.
They’re moody, dramatic, and straight-up gorgeous.
But also? They’re cold as hell.

Luckily, I’ve done enough winter weddings to basically qualify as a human space heater, so here’s how I make winter portraits look fire without literally setting myself or the bride on fire.

Rechargeable Hand Warmers Are Where It’s At

Forget those little disposable packets that die the second you actually need them—rechargeable hand warmers are where the real power lives.
You should keep a couple in your pockets like they’re precious gems. I have a few of my own. One for my trigger hand, one for the fingers that forgot how to be fingers when the temps drop.

Short, Sweet, and Back Inside We Go

Outdoor portraits? Absolutely.
Frostbite? Absolutely not.

We work in quick bursts, shoot outside for a few minutes, then dart back indoors before anyone starts turning blue. Winter portrait sessions are basically HIIT workouts: intense, fast, and slightly life-threatening but worth it for the results.

Yes, We Can Shoot Inside and Make It Look Damn Good

If the weather gets disrespectful (looking at you, sideways snow), we pivot.
Venues in December are usually decked out already, and honestly? Using the décor to frame portraits is a total win. Indoor winter light + moody vibes = BADASS.

I’ve shot stunning portraits by fireplaces, windows, staircases, and even random corners that just happened to have good shadows. You’d be shocked what we can make look intentional.

Keeping the Bride Toasty = Priority #1

I’m basically the warm-up coach for the bride at winter weddings.
I’m constantly checking in:
“Still good?”
“Need a cozy break?”
“Are your toes staging an uprising?”

We do the wrap-on, wrap-off routine between shots, and if things get too cold, we scrap the outdoor plan and keep everything comfy. The bride’s comfort always wins—no photo is worth hypothermia.

Luckily, winter gowns paired with fur wraps are a whole vibe, so staying warm AND looking killer is totally possible.

Final Thoughts From Your Resident Cold-Weather Gremlin

Winter weddings are bold, beautiful, dramatic, and yes—freezing.
But with the right gear, smart planning, and enough rechargeable hand warmers to power a small village, we crush it every time.

If your December wedding looks like a snow globe just know I’m already excited. And fully charged.