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6 In Lifestyle/ Photography

5 Tips for Winter Photography

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Each season has those peak moments that add a bit more sparkle to your photos. In the winter, that peak moment is definitely when it snows. Here are five tips to keep in mind when you’re doing photography in the snow!

1. It’s a time race: If the temperature goes back up above zero the snow will probably melt before mid afternoon. So if you can get out in the morning, the earlier the better. If you have to go to work, try to hustle so you can stop and grab some iPhone piccies on the way. Limitations can push you to find creative solutions and you may be surprised at the shots you can get in your everyday surroundings! Another thing to note is that all the moms with toddlers and kids having a snow day will be out there having fun. This brings back a lot of good memories, but if you’re looking to get the “freshly fallen snow” look you gotta get out there early before all the kids get to it!

2. Check your location: Photographing the Korean royal palaces each season has been an ongoing project of mine, so whenever I see enough snow I immediately think about taking the 2 hour trek up to the northernmost part of Seoul. Last year I made the mistake of leaving as soon as I saw snow outside my window only to find that it hadn’t even snowed in Seoul. While there’s a certain poetry to the quiet winter palace, it’s just a little bit more special with freshly fallen snow. So this year, I texted a friend that lived in Seoul before pulling the trigger and I was able to get some  snow shots locally instead.

3.  Gear up for freezing temperatures: If you’re going to a lake or mountain with freezing winds or doing street photography, or even snapping photos of your dog in the snow, it’s essential to be dressed warmly. You might be able to get away with stockings and boots when you’re going to spending most of your time in transit and warm buildings, but when you’re constantly walking in the cold for over an hour you may want something warmer. Personally I’m on a mission to get my money’s worth out of my snowboard pants so I use them for my longer photowalks during the winter. I got these from the North Face back in 2006 for a snowboarding trip and they keep me warm enough that I can roam around for a couple hours without feeling any discomfort from the cold. Since they’re completely black without any crazy prints they’re not as conspicuous either. I don’t always use a huge backpack, but when I’m carrying multiple lenses or facing harsh weather I’ll dig out my Pacsafe backpack that doubles up as a back warmer.

4. Pack a snack: Doing a photowalk in normal temperatures alone is enough to make anyone hungry. Being hungry during a photowalk in freezing temperatures will zap your energy like nothing else. Maybe even pack a thermos full of hot chocolate! Just make sure the seal is leak proof so you don’t wreak havoc on your camera gear.

5. Use the restroom before you start out: You really don’t want nature to call when you’re on top of a mountain covered in snow. Having to rush down a steep mountain trail is a recipe for disaster, and even if you’re in the city it can be a headache trying to find a restroom sometimes.

Your turn ♥ What are your tips for shooting photos in the winter?

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