How to prepare for winter engagement photos in Alaska

If your not sure how to prepare for your engagement session in Alaska during the winter then this post is for you. In this post will be sharing with you some tips to help make taking your engagement photos in Alaska a great experience.

Winter time in Alaska is known for being pretty, but its also one of the best times of year to experience alpenglow. Apenglow is that glowing sunlight that lights up the mountains and in my opinion looks even more magical in the snow. I for one hope that you are lucky enough to experience it at least once while here.

What to wear for your engagement photos in Alaska

Finding that perfect outfit to take photos in can feel like a challenge, believe me I know the struggle. When prepping for your session its important to take into account the current weather conditions. As one day it may be warmer but the next it could be quite a bit cooler. It’s honestly a coin toss so I recommend always being prepared for the coldest conditions.

When it comes to dressing for comfort and style you’ll want to try to get a good blend of both. One quick and easy way to do this is by dressing in 1-2 thin base layers. This will prevent your overall outfit from looking bulky but it will also serve the purpose of keeping you warm.

You can even add a hat or a scarf for a little more warmth and style

If you asked me I’d tell you to rock the beanie. I think they are the cutest way to accessorize your whole outfit and not only that but they also help you stay warm. As humans we lose majority of our heats through our head so keeping it covered can help you stay outside just a bit longer.

A warm and cozy jacket is the perfect tie in piece for your photoshoot

Even if you decide once your halfway down the trail that you don’t want to wear your jacket for photos. You’ll still be so thankful that you brought it with you. During those in between moments walking to and from the location its the perfect time to keep warm. It also makes that walk back to the car a little bit less miserable as well.

An additional outfit or two never hurt anybody

If you can’t decide between outfits 1 and 2 then bring them both. Chances are some poses or even walks that we take we may get a little wet. So its better to have additional outfit that way you don’t have to walk around in wet clothes.

Wear proper footwear

Now I cannot harp on this point enough. It is so important to wear the right kind of footwear when your out trecking around on the trails. By wearing the right foot wear you lower your risk for potential medical complications like frostbite, trench foot ect.

When picking out footwear you’ll also want a good pair of socks to go with them. I recommend wool socks as they perform better than cotton socks. These will keep your feet warm even when they get wet. And trust me no one likes walking around feeling cold and wet. It’s just not fun for anyone.

Crampons and ice cleats are my secret weapon

A good pair of ice cleats will help you have better traction when walking in Alaska. Think of them as studded tires but for your feet. These babies will be so beneficial to helping you remain upright while walking, running or doing any activity outside. I know I’ve had my fair share of experience falling while exploring here so now I always have my cleats with me just in case.

Hot Hands aka your mini heater

Hot hands are such an underrated and underutilized way of keeping warm as temps drop. When I’m taking photos out in the elements I usually bring an entire pack with me. I’ll have them inside my pockets inside my gloves and I even tend to put a couple in my beanie. This is my favorite way to stay just a little warmer especially during the Alaska winter.

Now that you have all these insider tips its my hope that this improves your overall photo taking experience. While this blog post is by no means an end all be all solution to embracing the colder temperatures. I hope that it has at least provided you with some helpful tips that you can take with you when you decide to have your engagement photos taken in Alaska.

In need of some more inspiration for your winter engagement session in Alaska? Check out this outdoor proposal at Point Woronzof or this winter mountaintop proposal at Alyeska.