Friends…I love snow. And winter, and cold. I have mentioned it before, and I know I am in the minority- but I just always have.  So even though I am in the Midwest and we didn’t get that whole huge snowstorm, we DID have some snow stick around this weekend, and I got to do 3 sessions I have been waiting for (2 in the snow) because of it!  I LOVED it!  I just adore the way it lights up the ground, gives a little great natural reflection, and glitters in images.  There is something that is very cozy about snow to me- I know, that is not how most feel! 🙂

After my multiple sessions in one snowy day, and knowing lots of photographers are going to be photographing in snow this week, I decided to do a quick post on a few tips for photographing sessions in the snow!

1). BUNDLE up!  Remember- you are not the one being photographed! So as long as you can move well and do your job well as the photographer, don’t be afraid to really load on the layers!  I like wearing many thin layers so that I can shed them as the day warms up or add as needed.  Also- always choose your snow boots!  I have snow boots…and then I have fashion snow boots, and since the snow was melting last night, I wore my fashion snow boots for my third session. Bad idea.  And on the bundling note, for your clients…

2). It is ok (in my opinion and to my eye!) for your clients to bundle up! Coats, especially if wool and form fitting, do not destroy all shape, and they help give the cozy look to the session! While I do recommend my ladies and gents opt for no coats/gloves/hats at some point throughout the session, I don’t mind them on, even in photos, a bit!  While the fashion is important and does play into the final product, the love you are capturing (or time in their lives, if seniors!) is much more important. I think coats are adorable in pictures! They also can wear them to and from various locations, and sometimes get a quick warm up that is enough to get them through a few minutes without if you are shooting somewhere where there is lots of walking between spots.  Or use it as an excuse for a blanket to cuddle in- I adore blankets at engagement sessions!

3). Flip top gloves! They are the best! With full on gloves, I cannot control my settings easily like I want to. But the flip top gloves (like this) keep my hands warm and my fingers free!  I love them, and have a few super cheap pairs I got at target a few years ago.

4). Remember to let your equipment get accustomed to the temperature! Whether in the extreme summer or winter, your lenses will fog up with big temperature changes (and they take a while to de-fog, which is less than ideal in front of a client)! I don’t recommend leaving your equipment outside in the freezing for any longer than you have to, but putting my bag that I am going to take with in the garage 10-15 minutes before I leave solves this problem!

5). Don’t forget to pack extra camera batteries. Sometimes they die a little quicker in the cold, and you don’t want to be left without power!

And here is a little bonus…

6). I once had a maternity session scheduled at a tree farm in the dead of winter and my clients were dying for snow. And there was NONE. Well…almost! We found one clump that had yet to melt and made the MOST of it! How?? I had them snuggle very close, right on top of it, and shot DOWN!  On my tiptoes, very close to them as well, and the ground looked covered in snow- even though it was only a few feet of a circle- because the angle of my shot didn’t show any of the rest of the ground!

Here is a little more snow-spiration (see what I did there??)!

Do you have small business of photography questions? Email me at jill@jillgumphotography.com!

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