Whitefish Senior Photographer | Whitefish Lake and Downtown Senior Session with Paige
INTRODUCTION
Whitefish senior pictures in the winter have a whole different vibe—soft snow, fog rolling in, and a quiet, cozy feel that makes everything a little more personal. Paige wanted a session that felt natural to her, so we kept things laid-back, capturing her in everyday outfits that fit the season. We started at Whitefish Lake, where the snow added a cool texture to the shots, making everything feel straight out of a winter postcard. Then, we headed into downtown Whitefish, where the fog gave the streets a moody, cinematic look. One of the best parts? A stop at Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, because I say that ice cream is acceptable all year round. Paige’s session was proof that winter senior photos can be just as fun, unique, and full of personality as any other season.
Bigfork High School Senior: Meet Paige
Paige isn’t just any senior—she’s been my best friend for all of high school and getting to take her senior photos was super fun. She’s the kind of person who keeps things fun no matter what we’re doing, always cracking jokes and making sure there’s never a dull moment. She’s got this easygoing confidence about her, and that’s exactly what we wanted to capture in her session.
She’s graduating with the Class of 2025 from Bigfork High School and heading to the University of Montana for business after high school. It’s wild thinking about how fast time has gone, but I’m happy I'll be in Missoula next year with her. When we planned her shoot, she wanted something true to her—laid-back, wintery, and full of personality. We spent time at Whitefish Lake, where the snow and fog gave everything a super cool, moody feel, then wandered through downtown Whitefish before stopping at Sweet Peaks for ice cream (because of course we did). Nothing about this session felt forced—it was just Paige being Paige, and that’s exactly what makes these photos so good.
Whitefish Senior Picture Locations
WHITEFISH LAKE SENIOR PICTURES
Whitefish Lake in the winter has a completely different vibe than in the summer, and that’s exactly what made it such a cool spot for Paige’s senior session. The fog rolling over the lake gave everything a soft, moody feel, and the snow-covered shoreline added such a unique texture to the photos. It felt peaceful and cinematic—like we had the whole place to ourselves (cause we did lol).
Since Paige’s style is casual and laid-back, this location fits her perfectly. We didn’t need anything overly styled or posed—the scenery did all the work. The muted winter colors made her outfits pop, and the quietness of the lake gave the photos such an effortless, natural vibe. If you’re a senior who loves the outdoors but doesn’t want the usual sunny, summery look, Whitefish Lake in the colder months is such an underrated choice.
DOWNTOWN WHITEFISH SENIOR PICTURES
After the lake, we made a stop at Sweet Peaks Ice Cream in downtown Whitefish, which ended up being such a fun part of the session. Paige and I have been friends forever, so this wasn’t just a random idea for photos—it was something we’d actually do anyway. She grabbed some ice cream (she’s cupcake’s number one fan) and the whole moment felt easy and natural. Some of my favorite photos from the day came from this stop, just because they captured Paige’s personality so well.
Even though we didn’t explore much of downtown for this session, Whitefish’s downtown area is an amazing spot for senior photos. The mix of historic brick buildings, cute storefronts, and twinkling lights in the winter makes for a super cozy backdrop. If you’re looking for variety in your senior pictures, adding a downtown stop to your session is a great way to get something a little different while keeping things fun and laid-back.
Winter Senior Pictures in Montana
Winter isn’t the most common choice for senior photos, but Paige’s session proved just how cool (literally) and unique this season can be. The snow-covered landscape, soft fog over Whitefish Lake, and quiet downtown streets created a moody, peaceful vibe that you just don’t get in the busier seasons. If you want senior photos that feel cozy, dramatic, or a little different from the usual golden-hour fields, winter is an amazing option.
One of the biggest perks of a winter session is how empty and quiet everything is. Popular locations that are packed in the summer and fall are completely still, which gives so much flexibility to move around and try different shots without working around crowds. The snow also adds a totally different feel—photos in the winter have this natural softness, and even though it was freezing, Paige’s cozy outfit choices made everything look natural. That’s one of the best things about winter sessions; sweaters, jackets, and scarves not only look great, but they also keep you warm enough to actually enjoy the shoot.
Of course, there are some trade-offs. The cold is no joke, and taking breaks to warm up is pretty much necessary. The shorter daylight hours mean sessions have to be planned earlier in the day to catch the best light, and Montana’s winter weather can be unpredictable. A fresh snowfall can make everything look magical, but icy roads and sudden storms make scheduling a little tricky.
Compared to other seasons, winter definitely stands out. Spring senior sessions bring bright colors and fresh energy but can be unpredictable with rain and lingering snow. Summer is golden and warm, perfect for outdoor adventures, but it’s also the busiest season, and locations can feel repetitive. Fall is by far the most popular for senior photos, with golden leaves and crisp air, but that also means booking has to happen way in advance to get a spot.
For Paige’s session, Whitefish Lake was the perfect winter backdrop. The soft fog over the water and snow-covered docks made everything feel quiet and dreamy, adding a totally different look than you’d get in any other season. Downtown Whitefish was just as good, with its cozy small-town feel and warm, inviting storefronts. Since we stopped at Sweet Peaks, the session felt even more personal and relaxed, making it way more fun than just standing in front of a backdrop.
Winter might not be the first season that comes to mind for senior photos, but it brings such a unique atmosphere. If you’re thinking about doing a session that feels a little different, this time of year might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Whitefish Senior Picture Outfit Inspo
Paige kept her senior session outfits casual and true to her everyday style, which fit the cozy winter vibe of the shoot perfectly. At Whitefish Lake, she wore dark wash low-rise jeans paired with a soft pink sweater, creating a simple but put-together look that stood out against the snowy background. Her Adidas Campus sneakers kept things comfortable, and she tied her hair into two low ponytails—such a fun touch that fit her personality so well.
For the Sweet Peaks portion of the shoot in downtown Whitefish, she kept the same jeans and sneakers but layered up with a black Patagonia jacket. It was the perfect wintery addition, keeping her warm while adding a classic, effortless vibe to the look.
Her outfits were a great example of how seniors can keep their style authentic while making small tweaks to fit different locations. The pink sweater brought a pop of warmth to the muted winter backdrop at the lake, while the Patagonia jacket fit right into the laid-back, outdoorsy aesthetic of downtown Whitefish. Keeping things comfortable and natural allowed Paige to focus on having fun, and that energy definitely came through in the photos!
How to Incorporate Activities into your Whitefish Session
For Paige’s session, we kept things simple, but we still found ways to bring in her personality through the setting and experience. One of the most fun and unique parts of her shoot was stopping by Sweet Peaks Ice Cream in downtown Whitefish. Instead of traditional props, Paige’s way of making her session more personal was just embracing the things she loves—like grabbing ice cream, laughing nonstop, and just being herself. The whole session felt like hanging out rather than a formal photoshoot, which is exactly the energy Paige brings into everything she does.
For seniors looking to make their session more personal, incorporating hobbies or favorite places is a great way to do that. Whether it’s stopping by a local coffee shop, bringing a book or sketchpad, or incorporating sports gear, adding a small personal touch can make senior photos feel more like you. Paige’s approach was effortlessly cool—no elaborate props, just a wintery backdrop, and a stop for some ice cream.
Flathead Valley Senior Photographer
Heyyy, I’m Morgan, a Flathead Valley based senior photographer that's all about turning your unique moments into visuals that feel like YOU! Let’s capture your true personality, vibe, and bring your ideas to life! Learn more about working with me for your Flathead Valley senior shoot by clicking HERE.
