Embracing the Cozy
PHOTO CHALLENGE | Autumn is the perfect time of year for cozy moments, hot beverages, and breathtaking sceneries. Whatever your preference, document what feels warm, cozy, and intimate to you.
It’s time to put away the summer things and embrace the cozy season ahead of us. This prompt will be a preface to the low light that is yet to come and to help shift our mindset to using our cameras a little differently. While I’m going to be talking mostly about indoor shooting, feel free to explore “cozy” inside or outside while we have the opportunity.
Indoor lighting is also considered Mixed Lighting, because of the options available to us through other means (lamps, candles, and windows). Depending on what you use and how, you can create different moods that are much stronger than any other type of traditional shooting.
TIP: When you’re shooting in a house, explore and search for all of its strengths and signs of the personality of those who live there.
Lamp light can give more focused directional lighting for a specific mood. Window light is more diffused, creates soft shadows, and can still include portraits nicely. You do have to remain mindful of the time of day usually.
TIP: Find references for how you want the photo to look. Would you like it to be warm with dim light or bright and clear?
Fire light is a good way to still get outside and enjoy a warm evening before the rain fully sets in. Get your fire started before it’s fully dark to experiment with having a little light available to you. You can use a tripod for good campfire shots (fire in motion, but the rest of the scene in focus) or increase your ISO for a grainy, interesting shot. You can also include fun props or search for creative photo opportunities.
What I love most about the concept of “cozy photography”, is that our lives don’t stop because the sun tucks away. We’re still living and doing things no matter the weather, and whether it’s noticeable at the surface, there is value there. Learning to find moments worth documenting will absolutely make you a stronger photographer.
When I think of cozy photography, I’m drawn in by mood and atmosphere, as well as intimate scenes in photography. The best part about that is the opportunity and lack of restriction. Here are some photographers that have nailed the cozy look of their photos. This is subjective, of course, because everyone will perceive atmosphere somewhat differently.
Elle Watson | Elle uses her Instagram as a visual mood board for her work and creative photos. Her work is consistent despite the incredible variety she shares and whether b&w or color, her style is so moody and atmospheric.
Johannes Hulsch | A great example of wide landscapes that have a cohesive and cozy atmosphere to them. The historical German towns obviously help with evoking feeling in his photos, but I like the possibility they present.
Ana Zilhão | Ana’s storytelling photos of her life and work in Lisbon is gorgeous. There’s a lovely balance of darker and lighter moods and scenes, which lend to a very cozy and cohesive feed.