Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Adding Snow for Christmas Portraits

 
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Even though I live in Michigan...a WINTER state...we usually
don't have snow when I'm shooting Christmas portraits for clients in November.
 
So I came up with a method for adding fake snow.
 
Watch my Video Tutorial to learn how to do this
in Photoshop and PSE.
 
 
It's best to take the photo in front of a pine tree because that
really makes for realistic "snow".
 
 
I learned that it's easier NOT to use props like this
chair that are difficult to paint around the legs...but
it still works.
 
 
Miss Emma is so adorable!
 
 
I do a running series called Vintage Val.
The snow adds so much to her Christmas gallery!
 
In this next photo, I had Val blow sparkles.  I found a big bag of them
at a thrift store for 49-cents!
 
 
 
I found the wonderful vintage furry, green swing coat
and the Santa skirt at a thrift store, too.
 
Then I found the white rabbit fur hat at Goodwill and added
one of my flower clips...also made from thrift store flowers!
 
 
 
Let it SNOW!
 
 
Even when it's NOT snowing!
 
The white steam coming off the hot chocolate is also
a Photoshop brush!
 
You can find free steam and smoke brushes HERE.
I LOVE and appreciate those who share for free!
 
 
 
 
 
This next one was a challenge trying to
paint the snow around the sled spokes...
but it was worth it!  This is one of my favorite
Christmas portraits this year.
 
I was so happy the little one-year-old sat so sweetly on the sled!
 
 
 
 
The little boy's outfit is from a thrift store.
I found the little girl's matching vintage hat, scarf and muff set
on E-bay.  I was the only bidder and got it for just $12!
 
 
I love finding photo props and clothing at thrift stores
and on E-bay.
 
 
To download one of my free high resolution 
Sparkle Snow Overlays
  
Bless him for being so precious!!
 
 
More thrift store finds.
 
You can find wonderful Christmas props at
the thrift stores.
The red star was only 99-cents!
 
 
These silver bells on red velvet cords...also 99-cents!
 

 
Her hat is actually the rabbit fur scarf clipped around her head!
 
 
I hope this inspires you to create some wonderful
Christmas photos this holiday season!