How to do a winter photoshoot in Canada?
Are you planning a winter photoshoot? Wintery cold places offer a lot of opportunities for photography, from shooting nice snow covered landscapes to chasing the northern lights. When the light is right, we get some truly great shots for our clients. However, the cold winter also brings big challenges to photographers and videographers, but you don't need to worry about it, actually for some people this is the best time of the year for this activity.
From blossoming flowers to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, every season has its own unique charm and beauty. With the change of weather, we must adapt to the environment around us. Here are a few tips and techniques that will help you to capture amazing photos, and to prepare your camera for the winter months.
Winter photoshoot: Tips for shooting in cold weather
1. Keep your batteries warm
It's no secret to anyone that batteries seem to discharge faster when temperatures are colder. The thing is, batteries don't necessarily discharge faster when the temperature drops, you just need to keep those batteries as warm as possible for as long as possible when you're shooting out there.
A tip within a tip: make sure you have a couple of extra batteries and be sure that all of them are fully charged before going out into the elements. It's not necessary to use the most expensive batteries for the camera in these cases; aftermarket batteries are also good for this purpose since they are more cost effective to replace and let´s be honest, winter photo shoots are not usually long.
A good alternative to avoid this situation, and to save yourself from running out of battery power when you need it most, is to carry the spare batteries in an inside pocket, close to your body if possible.
2. Protect yourself from the elements
All the know-how and skills in the world won’t do you much good if you’re too cold and feeling miserable to actually take some good photos. Always be aware that you and your well-being, above everything else, is the most important thing to take into account while shooting in cold temperatures. Keep well updated on current and future weather conditions and also dress accordingly.
Wearing layers of clothing will help you adjust your body temperature based on your level of activity while shooting, to prevent sweating, because it can lead to hypothermia. Don't forget to protect your face, hands, and feet.
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3. Seal your gear before going back inside
Did you know that a rapid move from a cold environment to a hot environment can cause condensation on glass? This is why glasses tend to fog up when coming in from the cold, just like on a hot day, a cold beer glass gathers condensation.
For lenses, this can be extremely problematic. A cold lens brought directly inside will fog up, so you won’t be able to use it for any indoor photos immediately, and the excess moisture can lead to smudges, and potentially long term issues on the front lens element.
4. Later sunrises, earlier sunsets
Remember the golden hours (one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset) are the best times to shoot, especially for landscapes and portraits. A great thing about winter is that you do not have to get up by 6 a.m. to capture the sunrise.
Keep in mind that golden hours in winter occur later in the morning and much earlier in the evening. Be sure to check your local weather reports the day before to see the times for the sunrise and sunset.
Winter can be a fantastic time for photography, and being properly prepared can make it all more enjoyable. Just remember to protect your camera and equipment when photographing in harsh weather and wintery conditions. This advice is based on our experience. We hope it has been useful information for photographers and people who want a winter photoshoot.
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