Inspiration for Winter Engagement Photos That You NEED to See Before Your Session

Hear me out… Winter engagement photos?? They’re SO underrated. 

Before you say, “No, absolutely not, way too cold,” you need to see Crystal and Jake’s winter engagement session. Because the cozy, romantic, snowy vibes?? They were TOO cute, and so unique!! 

If you’re recently engaged (congrats!!), keep reading to see the Northern California engagement photographer’s guide to why winter engagement photos should be on your radar, and everything to know about them. 

Why Choose Winter Engagement Photos?

Winter in NorCal has the BEST energy. You two, bundled up in jackets and scarves with red cheeks and noses, is something that’s too adorable to handle, and that’s not even to mention that choosing to take winter engagement photos is super unique. Something that’s totally you, ultra-romantic, and that barely anyone else does?? Love that. 

Also, winter engagement photos have SO much potential. Winter doesn’t automatically have to mean making snow angels outside; you can totally go into a cute little dimly-lit bar or cabin, if that’s more you!! 

The Kind of Couple That Winter Engagement Photos Are PERF For

Okay, hear me out. You don’t have to be the couple who spends every weekend skiing to make a winter engagement session work. Winter engagement photos are sooo for you if you want something that feels a little different, cozy, intentional, maybe a little moody, and very YOU. Maybe that means running around in the snow until your cheeks are pink. Maybe it means dressing up, ordering martinis at your favorite bar, and wandering through San Francisco after dark. Or maybe it’s coffee, sweaters, and the beach when nobody else is there.

If that sounds like you, ILY already. Can we be best friends?? 

Why Winter in Northern California Photographs So Well

Okay, I get it. When you think of winter vibes, Northern California probably isn’t the first location your mind goes to. Honestly, though, it should!! 

NorCal is GORGEOUS in the winter. The snow is a real-life dream, and when it’s paired with the soft winter sun, it makes the prettiest photos!! 

Northern California also basically lets you choose your own version of winter. We can go coastal and moody, city and chic, woodsy and cozy, or head toward the mountains if you want actual snow.

How to Plan Your NorCal Winter Engagement Photos

Since winter engagement pictures ARE so underrated, planning them might feel like a different ballgame. Don’t worry, though, you know I’ve got you!! Here are all my top tips as a NorCal engagement photographer that you need to know for your winter session: 

Casual Winter Engagement Photos vs Classy Winter Engagement Photos: What’s Your Style?

My first tip? Decide on a style. Because casual winter engagement photos and classy winter engagement photos have a totally different feel, which will be your guiding light for basically everything (locations, outfits, etc). 

Casual engagement photos might look like you two are going on a winter stroll in a cute, comfy outfit you would wear any day. Maybe you two get into a snowball fight or pop in to get a cup of hot chocolate somewhere. It feels laid-back, easy, and cozy. 

If you’re leaning more towards the classy side, you might wear a silk dress with some jewelry that sparkles JUST right in the light (and maybe even a fur coat like the QUEEN you are) and pop into a classy bar or restaurant with dim lighting and chic decor. And really good martinis, obviously. 

Where to Take Winter Engagement Photos in Northern California

When I think winter engagement photos, I automatically think SNOW. So, if that’s what you’re picturing, you should definitely consider: 

• Lake Tahoe for huge snow-capped mountains and waterfront pics!
• Sierra Nevada if you want a pretty definite snow location
• Any higher-elevation mountain locations

If you’re planning outdoor winter engagement photos without snow, these engagement photo locations in NorCal are some of my FAVES: 

• William Land Park for wide-open spaces that look really incredible when it’s bare and chilly. The lights hit perfectly at so many spots here, which you can see from Lauren and Peter’s session. 
• Half Moon Bay, because winter on the beach is something SPECIAL. It feels dry, totally unique, and is usually EMPTY, so it’s just you and your lover getting to run around together!! See why Half Moon Bay is my fave beach for engagement photos here. 
• Downtown San Francisco, because city engagement photos work SO well in the winter, especially for chic, classy vibes. That’s not even to mention that there are usually so many string lights set up for Christmas that make for BEAUTIFUL winter engagement photos!! 

If you’re way too cold-natured for that, though, I get it. Here are some of my favorite indoor NorCal winter engagement photo locations: 

• San Francisco City Hall for sleek, elegant vibes. This session I captured here actually lives rent-free in my head and is the poster child for why you should take your engagement photos here!! 
• Wayfare Tavern is the BEST if you love moody, classy bars. I can picture a winter engagement session here incredibly well: espresso martinis in hand, jazz music playing, sneaking kisses in a booth. Love!! 
• Your fave coffee shop, because something that’s cute, cozy, AND holds special meaning? It’ll hit every time. 

What to Wear for Winter Engagement Photos

I care about your engagement photo outfits SO much that I have an entire guide on it. For winter engagement photos, though, things look a little different!! I always recommend neutrals and jewel tones for winter engagement photos to really fit the vibe of the season. Burgundy? Incredible. Brown plaid patterns? 10/10. 

I love winter because it’s a fantastic excuse to move past neutral tones and include things like deep burgundy, chocolate brown, forest green, cherry red, metallic details, velvet, leather, satin, and texture. 

Here are a few more elements + pieces that I’m obsessed with for winter engagement photos!! 

• Chic leather gloves – like these from Artizia
• Patterned scarves – this houndstooth scarf from Revolve is a dream
• Red trench coats – like this one, especially when worn over something simple like this Quince dress
• Neutral sweaters and jeans – tell me this sweater wouldn’t make the CUTEST casual engagement photo outfit
• Sparkly accents – this overlay top would be insane for winter engagement photos

Winter Engagement Photo Ideas I’m in Love With

If you’re planning your winter engagement photos… These pose ideas are TOO cute if you don’t want your engagement session to feel like me saying, “Okay, now hug. Okay, now kiss.” 

A few ideas that I LOVE are: 

• Grabbing coffee and wandering around town
• Snowball fights
• Champagne in the snow
• Going to a bar and ordering your fave drinks
• Walking through holiday lights
• Cooking or making drinks in a cabin
• Bringing your dog
• Renting a cute cabin and documenting a slow morning
• Beach picnic with sweaters and blankets
• Dressing up and having a downtown date night
• Ice skating (if that’s something you’d actually enjoy)

How We’ll Make Your Winter Engagement Photos Actually Feel Like You

Okay, don’t worry, I’m not going to put you in the snow and make you hold the same pose for ten minutes while your fingers go numb. We’ll move, walk around, get warm, grab a drink, laugh, take breaks, become besties… 

Seriously, though, I’ll give you enough direction that you’re never wondering, “Ummm… what do I do with my hands?” while still leaving room for the weird little things that are naturally you two.

Questions My Couples Always Ask About Winter Engagement Photos

I know you probably still have questions, because trying to figure out the logistics of taking engagement photos might feel like a LOT. Here are common questions I get to help you out!! 

What’s the best time of the day for winter engagement photos? 

There’s no one perfect time for every winter session. I’ll choose timing based on your location, the direction of the light, weather, crowds, and the vibe we’re going for. The biggest difference in winter is that the sun sets way earlier, so we have less daylight to play with than we would during a summer session!! 

How do we plan for snowy engagement photos? 

If you specifically want snow, I’m always here as your NorCal engagement photographer to help you plan around it. We can look into which months or dates are best for snow (usually January and February!!), keep an eye on the weather, and go somewhere it’s more likely to snow, like the mountains!! 

What should I bring to winter engagement photos? 

When you’re packing your bag for your winter session, I always recommend bringing layers like an extra jacket, a scarf, gloves, and even socks in case it gets cold. You should also bring some water and snacks in case you need them, and a change of clothes, especially if we’ll be in the snow!! 

What happens if it rains or snows too much?

First things first, we don’t panic three weeks out because the weather app says 40% rain.😂 I’ll keep an eye on conditions as we get closer, and if the weather genuinely isn’t safe or won’t give us the experience we planned for, we’ll talk through backup options together.

How do we stay warm without looking bundled up in every photo?

If puffer jackets and looking like you’re freezing isn’t your vibe, you can use things like hand warmers between photos, a warm coat you remove briefly, fleece-lined tights, boots for walking,  thermals under outfits, car warm-up breaks, and blankets to make sure you stay comfy-cozy. 

Grace Thao | Northern California Engagement Photographer

Winter engagement photos are perfect for the couple who wants something different (but also super effortless), so if that’s you, reach out right here to inquire about booking me!! I can’t WAIT to meet you.