Amazing Photograpy in the Snow
Shooting photographs in the winter can be sometimes be a challenging project. Taking aim with your camera in cold weather can cause possible lens fog and batteries do tend to drain more quickly than usual. There are also exposure problems to deal with caused by the sun glare and the reflective snow. Exposure can be a tricky thing for winter photography.
I received product for free
Oh, winter, how I adore thee! Not really, but my children sure do! Winter in the Midwest is quite unpredictable. Here in Chicago, during the winter, we can have freezing rain one day, full on sunshine the next day and a blizzard the day after. This January, we have experienced multiple negative temperature days. We began January with -12°, two days with 50° and now we are at our "normal" weather of days in the 20's. Last week we were in the negatives again. This week alone we have had a day in the teens, another day in the 20's, yesterday was 40° and today it is almost 50°.
Winter is here and it stays, forever. Not really, but winter months are long and cold here in the Midwest. We are not nearly as bad as Iowa, where I grew up; and we are no where near as one of the coldest, snowiest states like Minnesota, but it is cold here. Winter months mean temperatures well below zero for most of the month of January and usually all of February. Once it snows, the snow tends to remain on the ground well into the month of March. We even sometimes have snow flurries in April!
What I am saying is that we are so lucky to have 'winter' basically 5-6 months out of the year! If you reside in the Midwest, you quickly realize you are one of the hearty residents. You simply just know how to dress and how to drive. My kids love the snow and pretty much beg to walk on the frozen creek and ponds daily during these cold months.
CREATIVE TIPS FOR SHOOTING IN THE SNOW
The wonderful aspect of cold winter days here in Chicago is #1, my kids love to play outdoors and fresh air equals healthy children. The aspect that I like is snow serves as a great backdrop for my photography. A lovely white background will make your images much brighter!
Create a Joy Filled Environment
I love to get all the snow covered elements of the outdoors in my shots with the kiddos. Falling snow is always so pretty and trees covered with freshly fallen snow are gorgeous. I really can capture some amazing images of my kids during the winter months. Since it is so cold here in the Midwest, our coats, hats and boots are part of our outdoor wardrobe and they add to the amazing-ness of our joy filled day.
Since the background will be mostly white, it is fun to have the kids add pops of color with their hats and scarfs. We always go for warmth versus style when it comes to coats here in Chicago, but it is always great to add silly hats or crazy colored scarfs. Don't forget the boots, as they are an integral part of winter wear here in Chicago during the winter months.
I have partnered with Kamik to review their boots and we were gifted with winter boots for my entire family. We received the following boots:
When we received these gifted boots, we were all so excited because it had literally just snowed that day! The Sienna women's boots in black for my oldest daughter fit her perfectly. The gorgeous leather Griffon men's boots for my husband and son were also perfect fits.
My youngest daughter grew overnight. I'm totally not joking. We had provided her size and then all of a sudden, nothing fit her. All her clothes seemed to have shrunk and the boots she had selected were too small. BUT, the boots I had selected fit her perfectly! So being the awesome mom that I am, I let her have my Sienna boots! I will say, the Rogue9 women's leather boots are gorgeous! I would wear those boots all winter long here in Chicago if I had a pair! (we graciously sent back the way-too-small- boot to Kamik)
Find the full Kamik line of winter boots (and awesome rain boots, which my daughters have as well and ADORE! ) here.
Don't forget to take your camera outdoors and photograph your children building a snowman, or having snow ball fights. You can wait at the bottom of the snow hill or brave it right in the middle to capture the great memories of sledding during this time of year. My girls are particularly fond of walking on our frozen pond or creek that runs behind our house. Thankfully, their Kamik boots keep their feet warm, because, let me tell you, it is so cold walking on the frozen creek. The day I took these photos it was a brisk 17° with a wind chill of -4°. Look at my girls, they didn't even care or notice for that matter!
Here are my daughters attempting to dig out a whole for the wild animals in our area, they were worried that deer and coyotes would not be able to get anything to drink. ☺ My son was there helping out his sisters as well, but he is a typical elusive teenager and I am not allowed to post any images of him any longer. ☺ Their gloves were soaked, but all their boots remained dry the entire time. Kamik winter boots are great for temperatures as low as -25°. My daughters and son were able to remain outdoors and explore long after I went indoors!
When the snow is falling, this is the time to capture some amazing photos. The sun is hit or miss here in Chicago during these winter months, but I really try to get outdoors when the sun is shining, as this is the most ideal time to shoot winter photos.
Despite the winter's numerous inconveniences to me, I do find it to be a very cozy season. Warm fires, hot chocolate, fuzzy slippers and board games on the floor. I guess this time of year isn’t so bad after all. Our bunny thinks so too!