Capturing Christmas Outfits: Winter Fashion Photography Tips

Wiki Article

As a model photographer who's done hundreds of winter fashion photo shoots, I can certainly tell you - shooting Christmas outfits is more than just squeezing the shutter. Shooting decorative fashion during the Christmas season presents its own challenges, from lack of light to making cold models look somewhat warm. But you can take beautiful shots of the winter fashion, provided that you use the proper methods.

Pre-Shoot Preparation

When doing location research, it is beneficial to survey your locations the week before you are scheduled to shoot to determine the direction that sunlight will be coming into your area at that time of year (the Golden Hour). Outdoor areas such as Christmas/holiday decorated parks and streets with holiday lights are great locations to create a holiday mood. In terms of indoor locations, look for buildings that have large windows in order to allow for as much natural light as possible. 

Be prepared, in winter weather conditions camera batteries tend to die faster due to the extremely cold temperature, so it is recommended to have three additional camera batteries with you at all times. In addition, it is always a good idea to have a microfiber cloth to clean your lens from fog or snow that has landed on it.

Lighting Techniques for Winter Outfits

When shooting Christmas/Holiday themed clothing, you will be using very heavy fabrics such as Wool, Velvet, and Fur, it is important to have the right lighting to highlight the texture of the material within the clothing. Side lighting will provide the best visual display of the material in the clothing. When using direct flash, you will have a very flat image and lose all dimension to the clothing. 

When shooting outdoors in daylight hours during the winter months, take advantage of the sunlight bouncing off the snow as a natural reflector to provide even lighting with no harsh shadows. If you shoot when there is an overcast sky, it is best to use a higher-than-normal ISO of 800-1600 and a wider aperture to maintain crisp details of the clothing.

Effective Composition and Angles

The most effective way to show off an outfit in its entirety is by taking full-length shots at a slight upward angle. This method gives the model the illusion of height while also emphasizing the drama of the clothing. Additionally, be sure to take close-up shots of any accessories used with the Christmas-themed outfit; such as scarves, gloves, and boots that complete the look.

Using a shallow depth of field is important as well. Setting the camera to an aperture of around f/2.8 - f/4 allows you to define the model against their background, but still keep the Christmas atmosphere intact. When you blur out the background using Christmas lights, you create an enchanting effect that is hard to resist.

Natural poses are always better than stiff ones. Ask the model to move, walk, twirl, or touch their hair. This movement creates dynamics in photos and makes the outfit look alive. I often ask models to laugh or talk so facial expressions look genuine.

Maximize Results with VISBOOM

The second major phase of post-production, following the photoshoot, is the post-production stage where AI-powered tools such as VISBOOM will change the way we approach the post-production period. As an AI-based editing solution, VISBOOM includes a feature called the "pose swap," which enables me as a photographer to alter the model’s pose in a photograph without needing another photoshoot.

Pose swapping features are extremely advantageous when posing the model does not meet expectations or is lacking in quality, due to poor lighting or background but the photo has already been taken. In this example, the photo is uploaded to VISBOOM, and the user chooses from an array of available poses that would be ideal for the outfit.

The usage of VISBOOM can also be beneficial when working with a model who finds it difficult to create a particular pose due to cold weather conditions. Instead of creating a new photo shoot, you can create photographs of the model in simple poses and then apply the pose swap feature in VISBOOM to create a series of more dynamic and editorial quality poses.

Additional Tips

Always to yourself say what you want the model to see. Display reference images before the session even begins. 4 Hot drinks should be made to keep the model warm when recording in a cold environment. Your best photos will come from the model that is most comfortable.

Indeed, winter fashion photography for Christmas outfits may seem like a daunting task however with the proper preparation and tools like VISBOOM, you can deliver an eye-catchy portfolio. After all, detail is everything in fashion photography, from fabric to pose.