It is 7 WHOLE DEGREES OUTSIDE. People are driving sled dog teams to work. Colleges are canceling classes. I am wearing gloves at my computer. No doubt about it - Winter ain’t coming, it’s HERE!
So, Inspired by a lovely reader, you are getting a whole post about shooting in the cold and snow!
GETTING READY
BE PREPARED
Scout the location! Can you park near it? How far will you have to walk? Will you need boots?
BE FLEXIBLE
Watch the weather. While there's usually have some warning about snow, weather is fickle! Have a few dates in mind you would like to shoot. There are some temperatures and conditions where it is flat out dangerous to travel. Be honest about what you can handle.
Stay WARM.
Layer. Layer, layer, LAYER. I recommend Under Armor and convertible fingerless gloves. In a pinch, pantyhose under pants works. Also, HATS.
Photographers - This is not the point to look cute. Wear the big puffy coat. And I am NOT kidding about the fingerless gloves!
Costumers/ Models - If you can incorporate the warm clothes into your outfit, that is an excellent plan! If not, wear something you can remove and put on easily. (wraps, loose coat, blankets)
Stay DRY!
Bring umbrellas, towels, and trash bags - Remember, you need to keep to protect subject/costume AND the photo equipment!
Stay PRETTY!
Humans leak all over the place in the cold. You WILL need to do touch-ups! Chapstick, hand lotion, Kleenex, and waterproof mascara are ESSENTIAL.
The chapstick is MOST IMPORTANT. I carry it all year. Men or women, it's probably the easiest touchup you can do. Patchy, cracked lips are just awful!
AT THE SHOOT
Park as close as possible!
Bring at least one extra person as an assistant/sherpa. SOMEONE needs to hold all the coats and umbrellas!
Keep it short, and take breaks. Between freezing temperatures and slogging through snow, energy will quickly be lost. Cut your endurance expectations in half.
Keep checking in with your subjects to make sure they're okay! Blue lips are NOT attractive, even if you’re shooting Jack Frost!
Pro Tip: A thermos of tea or coffee is a GREAT idea!
HAVE A BACKUP
Believe it or not, it started RAINING as I tried to get shots for this post! Fortunately, Kino looking out a snowy window worked too! (And was MUCH warmer!)
CREDITS
Pitch Frost, Rise of the Guardians - Elendriel
Barnaby and Kotesu, Tiger & Bunny - LunaRiven and worthythunder
Umbrellaman Umbrellas - Sara and Mitch
Jack Black and Pitch Frost, ROTG - Toki and Elendriel
Ulquiorra and Orihime, Bleach - Unknown, Ohayocon 2011
Kino, Kino's Journey - Me!
How about you? Do YOU like shooting in the snow, or would you rather hibernate? Share!
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