With winter well and truly underway, many of us in the Southern Hemisphere are bundling up indoors and doing our best to keep warm. While it's tempting to hit pause on your hobbies, now's actually a great time to develop your winter photography skills.
At Ted's, we're big on celebrating Christmas in July. There's something undeniably special about a white Christmas — and Christmas in July photos are a fantastic way to flex your photography skills and capture memories with your loved ones. Here are 5 creative winter photography ideas to try this year.
Last updated: May 2026
1. Try Rain Photography
Who says a downpour has to get in the way of festive fun? Instead of letting the wet weather rain on your parade, try experimenting with rain photography portraits. This is a great way to get kids involved and capture sweet, spontaneous shots you'll cherish forever.
Dress them in something festive you don't mind getting dirty, pop on their gumboots, and encourage them to splash around in puddles. Their joy at being encouraged to make a mess means you're guaranteed to capture them at their happiest and freest. Just remember to keep yourself and your camera dry — or opt for a waterproof camera instead.
2. Break Out Your Festive Sweaters
If you've ever fallen in love with a cheesy Christmas-themed sweater online and talked yourself out of buying it because it's too warm for an Aussie Christmas — this is your moment. Buy that sweater and bust it out for a Christmas in July party.
For the best Christmas sweater photos, encourage all your guests to dress in appropriately festive (and gloriously dorky) attire. Pop a wide-angle lens onto your camera and prepare to capture great group shots of everyone looking wonderfully uncool.
3. Gather Around a Fire
Winter is a great time to camp out and gather around a campfire. The warmth feels incredible on a cold night, and you can use the fire to roast marshmallows or chestnuts for an authentic festive feel. Campfire photos add a warm, atmospheric quality to your Christmas in July album, while the outdoor element adds a touch of Australiana.
Shooting at night around a campfire means you'll need to set up for low light photography:
- Mount your camera on a tripod to keep it steady at slower shutter speeds.
- Use a higher ISO to allow more light in — just be aware that very high ISOs can introduce noise into your images.
- A wide aperture (f/1.8–f/2.8) will let in more light and create a beautiful warm bokeh from the fire.
4. Have a White Christmas in July
If you're lucky enough to be somewhere that experiences snowfall — or planning a trip to the snow — take advantage of it for some beautiful Christmas photos. A lit-up Christmas tree in the snow makes for a gorgeous image you can use on homemade Christmas cards for years to come.
Here's how to protect your camera gear in cold and snowy conditions:
- Keep your batteries warm — cold temperatures drain lithium-ion batteries quickly. Carry spares and keep them in an inside pocket while you shoot.
- Mount a UV or clear filter on your lens to protect the front element from snow and moisture.
- Use rain covers or zip-lock bags to protect your camera body if conditions are particularly wet or your gear isn't weather-sealed.
- Overexpose by +1 to +2 stops — bright snow can fool your camera's meter into underexposing, leaving the snow looking grey rather than white.
Top Tip: Popular snow resorts often have special deals to celebrate Christmas in July — keep your eyes open for packages that combine accommodation and lift passes.
5. Find the Best Light
Sunrise photography is always stunning, but particularly so in winter. Winter sunrises are often overwhelmingly picturesque — rich with warm colour and dramatic cloud formations. The best part? The sun rises later in winter, so you don't need to set your alarm too early.
During winter, the blue hour and golden hour deliver vibrant colours perfect for landscape photography. Rolling hills are at their greenest and most lush, while coatings of dew and frost on the ground make beautiful photographic details. For dramatic landscape images, keep a lookout for breaks in heavy cloud cover that allow shafts of sunlight to streak through.
Frequently Asked Questions: Winter & Christmas in July Photography
What camera settings should I use for campfire photography at night?
Use a wide aperture (f/1.8–f/2.8) to let in as much light as possible, raise your ISO to 1600–3200 (or higher on modern mirrorless cameras), and mount your camera on a tripod to keep it steady. A shutter speed of 1/60s or faster will help freeze any movement around the fire.
How do I photograph snow without it looking grey?
Use your camera's exposure compensation to overexpose by +1 to +2 stops. Snow reflects a lot of light and can trick your camera's meter into underexposing the scene. Shooting in RAW also gives you more flexibility to correct exposure in post-processing.
What's the best lens for group shots at a Christmas in July party?
A wide-angle lens in the 16–35mm range (full-frame equivalent) is ideal for group shots in indoor or tight spaces. It lets you fit everyone in the frame without needing to back up too far. Browse our full range of camera lenses.
Do I need a waterproof camera for rain photography?
Not necessarily — you can shoot rain photography from under cover or through a window. But if you want to get out in the rain with your camera, a weather-sealed mirrorless camera or DSLR is a good investment. Alternatively, a dedicated waterproof compact camera is a more affordable option for wet conditions.
Get the Gear for Your Winter Photography
Ready to get out and shoot this Christmas in July? Explore our range of mirrorless cameras, tripods, lenses, and filters at Ted's Cameras. Visit your nearest store for expert advice, or shop online with free shipping over $100.
For more photography tips and inspiration, browse the Ted's Cameras Photography Tips blog.