Winter is the perfect time to see life—and photography—through a fresh lens. Inspired by Kari Leibowitz’s How to Winter, I’ve been trying out a “winter mindset”—a shift from my usual routine of just counting down the days until warmer weather arrives. It’s essentially about flipping the script on the season’s usual challenges—short days, freezing temperatures, and long nights—by embracing a more positive outlook: a way to reframe the season and uncover joy and beauty in what’s often seen as bleak and cold.

Lately, I’ve been all about the Nordic vibes, so I thought I’d lean into some Scandinavian wisdom—plus a few film photos from our recent trip to Iceland—for inspiration: lagom (finding balance), friluftsliv (loving the outdoors), and, of course, hygge (embracing cosiness). These little philosophies don’t just make winter more bearable—they also bring a fresh perspective to winter photography. Whether it’s finding harmony in a composition or capturing those warm, cosy moments that contrast with the chill, winter is packed with creative possibilities.

Lagom and the art of balanced composition

In Sweden, they’ve got this brilliant word: lagom. It means “not too little, not too much—just right.” Honestly, it’s the kind of vibe that works perfectly for photography. It was so cold in Iceland that I had to wear two pairs of gloves just to keep my fingers from freezing—great for staying warm, not so great for fiddling with camera buttons. And I quickly learnt that the longer I stayed outside in the snow taking photos, the colder my feet became (despite double socking and great big winter boots). But these challenges made me slow down and really focus on what I wanted to capture before deciding to stand in the snow or taking my gloves off: a perfectly balanced composition that felt calm amidst all the frosty chaos.

Friluftsliv and the embrace of nature’s cold beauty

The Norwegians have a great word friluftsliv— which means being in love with the great outdoors, even when it’s freezing. Heading outside in the cold can do wonders for your mood, especially if the winter blues are creeping in. Plus, it’s a great excuse to grab your camera and go on an “awe walk”—taking in your surroundings with fresh eyes and finding the beauty in the details.

Snowscapes and soulscapes

There’s something magical about how low the sun sits in the sky during winter. In Iceland, it was as if the golden hour stretched across the whole (albeit short) day—soft pink light, long shadows, and a dreamy atmosphere that made every photo feel magical. So many of my shots from Iceland ended up with this rosy glow.

Photography in the dark

Of course, winter isn’t all soft light and golden hours—it’s a whole lot of darkness too. But that just makes the light feel even more precious. On the days when it wasn’t snowing, we kept our eyes glued to all of our apps for the latest on the night sky’s activities, the aurora borealis. We were rewarded on New Year’s Day with a stunning display of northern lights. And as if that wasn’t enough, we stumbled across some nacreous clouds while driving to a frozen waterfall—pearly, iridescent streaks across the sky that looked like they were painted by aliens. (These images were taken with my iPhone.)

Hygge through the lens

But winter isn’t just about battling the cold. It’s also about soaking up those hygge moments: the warmth, the cosiness, and the twinkly lights that make everything feel magical. Indoors, Christmas lights were still up in Iceland, casting their soft glow on quiet corners and streets. The contrast between the icy landscapes outside and the cosy warmth inside made winter feel like two different worlds—both equally photogenic.

Winter has a way of challenging us, but when approached with the right mindset, it opens up a whole new world of photographic possibilities. From the balance of lagom to the wonder of friluftsliv and the cosiness of hygge, each Scandinavian concept brings a fresh way of experiencing the season. It’s not just about braving the cold, but about embracing it—finding beauty in the quiet moments, the soft light, and the crisp air.

Winter may not always be easy, but with a shift in perspective, it’s full of photographic magic just waiting to be discovered.

kirstin