Between November and February, every day, before the daily grind takes over, I open my window and peek outside. I’m not checking for rain or sunshine, no. I’m looking for one thing: fog. It’s become a habit, this little ritual. Some mornings, the air is crisp and clear, and I just close the window and go about my day. But other times, when everything is wrapped in that thick, mysterious haze, I feel this rush of excitement. Those are the mornings I grab my camera, pack my gear, and head out, without a second thought, chasing fog.

Fog has this incredible way of turning the ordinary into something magical. It’s like nature’s own filter: softening edges, muting colors, and creating this dreamy atmosphere. Every shot feel like capturing a moment out of time, where anything felt possible. Fog isn’t just weather, it’s a storytelling tool. It adds mystery, depth, and emotion to portraits, turning them into something truly unique. But shooting in fog isn’t as simple as pointing your camera and hoping for the best. It takes planning, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the unpredictable.

In this post, I’m sharing an essential guide for shooting portraits in fog, from figuring out the right conditions to tackling the technical challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, I hope this “guide” inspires you to get out there on those foggy mornings and capture a little bit of that magic. Because let’s be honest, the most beautiful moments often happen when the world is half-hidden.

1. Scout the Right Location

Fog transforms any setting, but some locations work better than others. Look for places with:

Open spaces: fields, parks, or empty streets allow the fog to spread evenly, creating a clean, minimalist backdrop.
Natural frames: trees, arches, or buildings can add depth and structure to your composition.
Reflective surfaces: lakes, puddles, or wet pavement can double the fog’s effect, adding a surreal, mirror-like quality.

2. Time It Perfectly

Fog is fleeting, so timing is everything. Here’s how to nail it:

Early mornings: fog is most common just before and during sunrise, when the air is cool and still.
Check weather apps: I use tools like Clear Outside to track fog.
Be ready to go: keep your gear packed and your outfit planned so you can head out the door as soon as you spot fog. I usually have a bag in my car so I can ALWAYS be ready.

3. Focus on Composition

Fog can add a layer of abstraction to your compositions, so pay close attention to how you frame your shot. Because the mist obscures details, it’s essential to highlight shapes, silhouettes, and contrasts that cut through the haze. Roads, trees, and mountains peeking out of the fog can create a powerful focal point. Play around with perspective and experiment with leading lines to guide the viewer's eye toward the vanishing point in the mist.

Embrace minimalism, use the fog to simplify your composition, drawing focus to your subject. One of the most striking effects of fog is its ability to isolate subjects from the surrounding environment. It blurs the background and makes the subject stand out with a unique, almost surreal quality. Whether you’re photographing a person, an animal, or a piece of architecture, the fog helps to eliminate distractions and lets you focus on the emotion or essence of the subject itself.

4. Adjust Your Camera Settings

To make the most of foggy conditions, you may need to adjust your camera settings. Moreover, fog can confuse your camera. Since the fog reduces overall contrast, you may want to increase the exposure slightly to avoid overly dark images. A wider aperture (lower f-number) can help you capture more light while creating a shallow depth of field, which enhances the dreamy look. Keep an eye on your white balance, as fog can sometimes introduce a cool or warm tint, depending on the surrounding environment.

Aperture: use a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to keep your subject sharp while letting the fog blur the background.
Shutter speed: keep it fast enough to avoid motion blur, especially if your subject is moving.
ISO: start with a low ISO (100-400) to maintain image quality, but don’t be afraid to increase it if the light is dim.
Exposure: slightly overexpose your shots to prevent the fog from making your images look too dark or flat.

A special mention goes to focus settings. Focusing in fog can be tricky because the mist can confuse your camera’s autofocus (I have so many clips with a “dancing” focus!). If you are shooting portraits of someone else, no need to worry, switch to manual focus for more control. However, if you are shooting self-portraits, it might be tricky. Here’s few suggestions to handle it:

Live view or remote apps: if your camera allow it, use your camera’s live view mode or a smartphone app to check focus remotely. That’s the easiest way.
Use a focus aid: place a stand-in object (like a bag) where you’ll be standing. Focus on that, then switch to manual focus to lock it in.
Aperture balance: while a wide aperture (f/1.8) creates a dreamy effect, it also narrows your depth of field. For self-portraits, consider stopping down slightly (f/4) to ensure your entire face is in focus.

5. The Outfit

Fog has a soft, dreamy aesthetic, but in my opinion, there’s no “right” or “wrong” color, it all depends on the mood you want to convey. I’ve experimented with so many colors (white, beige, black, green, red, pink, blue, grey) and each can work, as long as it aligns with the aesthetic you’re going for. Whites, creams, and beiges are perfect for an ethereal, minimalist look, they blend seamlessly with the fog, creating a delicate atmosphere. Black adds drama and contrast, ideal for more intense, mysterious portraits. Earthy greens and browns add warmth without overpowering the scene. Red, blue and other colors, when used in soft tones, can add a touch of color without disrupting the harmony. Personally, I’ve never tried neon colors simply because I don’t own any, but I think they’d be hard to integrate into a foggy setting without looking too harsh. The key is to experiment, choose an outfit that reflects the mood you want to create, whether it’s romantic, dramatic, or melancholic. If you don’t have a specific idea in mind, then white can be a good option.

Also the texture can help reaching a specific effect. Flowy fabrics catch the light and move beautifully in the wind, knitwear makes the image feel cozy and intimate. In general, I like to keep it simple, so simple or no patterns and few accessories, but, again, it depends on the final effect you’d like to obtain.

Pro tip: If you’re shooting in a cold, foggy environment, make sure the outfit is warm enough to keep your subject (or you) comfortable. Layering is key! Unless you want a fairy, in that case you have to embrace the cold (or choose long dresses so you can always opt for a pair of warm leggings). In any case, I suggest to choose something easy to wear and avoid outfits that require constant adjusting.

5. Post-processing

Post-processing is where you can really bring out the ethereal quality of the fog. Editing is quite personal and guided by several factors, including the original photo, taste and the general vibe you want to obtain, so I can’t give you an universal set of rules, but I can surely tell you how I usually proceed.

Exposure and Contrast: fog can sometimes make your images look flat or dull, so the first step is to adjust the exposure and contrast. Fog tends to darken your images, so increase the exposure to brighten the scene without losing the misty effect, while regarding contrast I usually add a subtle amount of contrast to make the subject stand out against the soft background.
Color correction: fog can wash out colors, so use the HSL panel to bring them back selectively. You can also go for a warmer or colder image based on the effect you’d like to reach.
Fine-tune specific areas: using the masks in Lightroom, I usually end up brightening the subject and dehazing it a bit (especially if fog was very thick), as well as enhancing the fog, reducing the texture and clarity (I like the drama).

But to be honest, I love to keep the natural beauty of the scene, so I don’t usually edit too much in case of fog, especially if the conditions were already good. In the photos below I show you the raw photo (left) vs the edited one (right) using the mentioned steps.

Concluding, shooting in fog is all about embracing the unexpected. Some days, the fog will be too thin or too thick, and not every shot will turn out as planned (to be honest, I’m still learning to accept that). But that’s part of the magic. When everything aligns (the light, the location, the mood) you’ll capture something truly beautiful. So, the next time you open your window and see that misty haze, don’t hesitate. Grab your camera, step into the fog, and let it guide you to something beautiful.

Shooting in the Mist: Tips for Dreamy Portrait Photography