Planning Your Winter Outdoor Photo Shoot!

Updated: Sep 26, 2021

In past blogs I talked about outdoor photo shoots. The same rules apply for winder outdoor photo shoots with some added things to be aware of.

Baby it is cold outside!

Dress for the elements. Not matter how creative you are, it is no fun freezing while looking for the perfect shot.

This is a stock photo and not owned by yahumpphotography

One of the most important items you can have as a winter outdoor photographer is the proper gloves. Most photo stores sell special photo gloves with thin thermal fabric around the fingertips, so that you can fully control your camera. These gloves also have a special fabric on the palms for a secure grip. Visit your local camera store, and give these gloves a try. They could save you from lots of hassle and frost bite.

Their are many different types of photography gloves on the market. It is best to check with your local photography store and find what works best of your needs.

These are stock photo and not owned by yahumpphotography

As with any outdoor photo shoot these are four things to keep in mind.

* How do I have to dress to be comfortable?

** What time to I want to do the shoot?

*** What day do I want to do the shoot?

**** Am I looking for a certain mood to the photos?

When you are shooting a model, you must also plan around their schedule and take into consideration the model’s comfort in the elements as well as their wardrobe.

Once the first 4 questions are answered I move onto the technical preparation for the photo shoot.

a. How do I protect my equipment in snow and cold ?

If your camera ever gets wet, bring it indoors, then wrap a dry towel around it. Let it sit for several hours. If you try to wipe the snow or water off, you may risk pushing it inside the seams where the electronic components are, which can pretty much kill your camera. Just let your camera sit in a towel for a bit, and let the towel absorb all the moisture.

Many newer mid range to expensive DSLR and Mirrorless cameras are weather sealed to protect against the elements. However, not all parts of the camera are weather sealed. If you are out a lot during snow storms, invest in a good snow or rain cover. It will keep your camera and lenses dry during the photo shoots, minimizing the chance of liquid residue getting close to the electronic brains of your camera. They are a great investment, and costs a fraction of a camera repair price. Check with your local photography store to find what works best for your needs.

These are stock photo and not owned by yahumpphotography

b. Camera and extra batteries – batteries drain faster in colder weather, so keep your batteries warm

Batteries lose their power when exposed to low temperatures. You may be used to getting a few hundred shots in one charge, but in cold temperatures, the number of shots you take in one charge can drop considerably—less 50-70% than you are used to. You can easily cheat the cold by keeping your spare batteries warm. Just keep the extra batteries in your inner pocket, and close to your body heat.

c. Don’t let your lens fog up

Shooting something in freezing temperatures is a challenge. When you are ready to warm up in any nearby indoor spot, be mindful of your camera. If you simply rush indoors with your camera, your lens will fog up immediately with all the built-up moisture. This will result in painful minutes of you waiting for the lens to defog (and possibly missing out on getting a great shot). To avoid this, place your camera in a photo bag with lens cover before you enter into any warm place.

The below photo was taken about midnight on New Years Eve. It was very cold out and a lot of wind. I used a tripod which had to be balanced with sand bags of weight. I used a long exposure and the light from the apartment buildings. Their were fireworks from behind the apartment buildings.