Oh my gosh, it snowed last night! Now I live in Virginia Beach, so mind you, it’s really only a dusting, but I’ll take what I can get! If you’ve been on Pinterest recently, you can’t help but see all the adorable posts with cute couples or family sessions that are shot in the snow or when it’s super chilly out. And you (as the amazing photographer that you are) can’t help but think, “I wanna do that too!” But did you know that there are some things you need to be conscious of when shooting in winter? Here are some cold weather photography tips that I hope will make your life a little easier the next time you head outdoors to shoot!

Cold Weather Photography Tips

Pre-Session

Pack Extra Batteries – cold temps drain your battery life faster than usual, so be prepared with a spare battery (or two!).

Use Fingerless Gloves – they give you the ability to manipulate your camera while keeping your hands warm.

Bring an Airtight Plastic Bag – this is gonna come into play later (to prevent condensation)

Carry a Backpack – this is a no brainer, but it helps protect your gear from the elements.

On Location

Keep Your Gear Warm – stick your camera inside your jacket when you’re not shooting and keep extra batteries in your pockets.

Watch that Exposure – the snow can throw your exposure meter off, making your image underexposed.

White Balance – If you’re pictures are looking too blue, change your WB to Cloudy or Shade

Wrapping Up (Literally)

Once you’re finished with your photo shoot (And before you go back inside), break out that plastic bag and stick your camera and lens inside and seal it. That way, any moisture will form on the outside of the bag, and stay out of your camera! I’d recommend letting the camera sit in the bag 1-2 hours so that it can warm up gradually. Remember: your camera gear is sensitive to extreme temperature changes, even if they are weather sealed. Make sure to take care of your gear so you will get years of enjoyment out of it!