Winter in Amsterdam often raises questions before a photo session.

• Will it be too cold?
• What if it snows? or rains?
• What if we don’t want to wear jackets in the photos?

These are very valid concerns, and they are also the reason why winter sessions are never improvised.

Winter photography requires structure, experience, and a different rhythm than spring or summer. When done well, it can be calm, intimate, and surprisingly playful.

Winter Is Not About Endurance, It’s About Flow

I approach winter sessions very intentionally. The goal is not to “push through the cold” but to work with the conditions.

Instead of long walks or continuous shooting, winter sessions are built in short sequences. A sequence usually lasts about five to seven minutes.

Before each sequence starts, I explain clearly what will happen:

• where we will stand or move
• how long it will take
• what the interaction or movement will be

Only then do jackets come off.

We photograph the full sequence efficiently, without rushing, but without pauses that let the cold settle in. Once the sequence is done, jackets go back on, and we move calmly to the next spot, usually within a very short walking distance.

This structure keeps energy high and discomfort low.

Why Movement Matters More in Winter

Movement is essential during winter sessions, especially with families and children.

Instead of asking people to stay still, winter sessions are designed around:

• walking
• gentle play
• small interactions
• moments of connection

This keeps bodies warm and expressions natural. For children, it helps maintain focus and joy. For adults, it removes the feeling of “posing” and replaces it with presence.

Winter sessions feel more like shared time than a photo shoot, and that is intentional.

What Happens When It Snows?

Snow often feels intimidating, but in practice, it does not change the structure of the session. It simply changes the atmosphere. Now, snow is a rare occurrence in Amsterdam, but as we had a week of it at the beginning of the year, let me address it.

I have photographed full sessions in snow before, and the approach remains the same:

• short sequences
• clear guidance
• minimal walking
• constant awareness of comfort

Snow becomes part of the story, not an obstacle. Some of the most memorable winter images come from days when the weather felt uncertain, but the experience itself was calm.

Snow does not need to last long or stay on the ground to be meaningful. Sometimes it appears briefly, and that is enough to create a sense of magic.

Jackets in Photos: Yes or No?

This is one of the most common questions I receive. The answer is: both are possible.

Because sessions are built in sequences, we can photograph moments without jackets while keeping you warm overall. You never need to choose between comfort and the images you want. The structure allows for both.

This is especially important in winter, when staying relaxed makes all the difference in how photos feel.

What About Rain?

Rain is different from snow, and it requires a different mindset.

Unlike snow, rain can appear and disappear throughout the day. This is why flexibility matters more than rigid planning. I always keep an eye on weather apps that show dry windows, and we adjust the rhythm of the session accordingly. Sometimes this means starting a little earlier, pausing briefly, or shifting locations by just a few minutes.

Rain affects every season in Amsterdam, not only winter. The difference is how you work with it.

Light rain often becomes almost invisible in photographs, especially when the focus is on people, movement, and connection. Wet streets add reflection, depth, and mood, and sometimes the images captured during light rain feel even more truthful to the moment than a perfectly dry day.

Of course, safety and comfort always come first. If rain becomes heavy or uncomfortable, we adapt. But when it is gentle, we often keep going, embracing it as part of the experience rather than something to avoid.

Rain does not ruin a session. It simply changes the atmosphere, and with the right pacing, it becomes another layer of the story.

Experience Matters in Winter

Winter sessions are not about luck or weather predictions. They are about knowing how the city behaves in colder months, understanding light, crowds, and pacing, and adjusting continuously during the session.

Amsterdam in winter is quieter, softer, and more intimate. When approached with care, it becomes a beautiful backdrop for photographs that feel honest and grounded.

Whether there is snow or not, winter sessions are designed to feel calm, intentional, and human.

If you are considering a winter session and have questions, it usually means you are thinking ahead, and that is already the best starting point.

Until next time in Amsterdam,

Joanna

Your Photographer in Amsterdam