Minimalist Winter Photography Kit
So, you’re a dedicated photographer who wants to take winter shots without freezing your (insert body part here) off? Well, I have a few free or affordable suggestions for you. These can all fit in a camera bag, and they are invaluable to my personal kit.
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Stay Warm
The key to a successful shoot is keeping your hands warm enough to function. You don’t want numb fingers, and you definitely don’t want frostbite. Besides gloves, the best weapons against cold hands are hand warmers. Anyone who wants to shoot in comfort should keep a pair of these in their jacket pockets, and I’m not sure why I ever traveled without them. HotHands Handwarmers is the brand that I use, as they are affordable and last up to ten hours. These tiny packs fit in your pockets or gloves, but they also make specialized warmers for your feet and body. I live in NYC, and we don’t usually experience extreme cold, but if you are in Maine or Detroit, body warmers could be useful for you.
Stay Dry
Anyone with a weatherproof camera has made the mistake of blazing through a blizzard without any additional supplies. They usually end up with a wet camera and nothing to dry it. If there is heavy/wet snow, I bring a small towel to dry the camera body. You may also want to bring along an umbrella or a rain sleeve (a plastic camera covering) in heavy sleet downpours. In order to prevent moisture from accumulating in your camera bag, it would be wise to leave a silica gel pack in there. I usually take them from packages I’ve ordered, but if you really can’t find one, they are sold in bulk on Amazon. I never place a moist camera in my bag, but if I had to, I would replace the silica pack afterwards.
We covered keeping the body dry, but to clean the lens, use a microfiber cloth. I always keep one to dry snow and remove condensation from the lens. They are inexpensive and quite useful. Be careful though, if you want to clean your lens without scratching it, make sure there are no particulates resting on it, such as salt or sand. In order to do this, you can use a blower to puff everything away. You can use a brush after if there is serious dust on your camera. You can then use a lens cleaner with a lens tissue, but some people prefer the old breath and cotton shirt method. Use whatever works for you. There are several kits being sold, but since I don’t use them, I won’t recommend any specific brand.
Stay Moisturized
Like cold hands, dry hands can be equally debilitating. I always try to moisturize before leaving the house and every few hours after. I currently use Gold Bond Ultimate Men’s Essentials Everyday Formula Hydrating Cream (a mouthful, I know. Luckily it doesn’t taste bad š ) It’s a little pricey, but a little goes a long way, and it doesn’t leave any sticky or oily feeling after use. I have very dry hands, and it’s one of the few lotions that keeps them moisturized. It is also designed for use on the body and face. I personally use other lotions for my face and head (I’m bald): Lubriderm Men’s 3-in-1 Lotion (Light Fragrance), or Vaseline Men Healing Moisture. These are more affordable than the first lotion I mentioned, and they work quite well. I enjoy the fragrance, but if you want to save even more money, buy a fragrance-free, non-gender specific, generic lotion.
Stay Full
In order to stay full while trekking through the snow, I recommend breakfast biscuits. They provide upwards of 200 calories and they usually are whole grain. I enjoy belVita Breakfast Biscuits, as they are tasty and filling without being super sweet. However, be careful not to eat too many, as the calories can add up quickly. If you want to save money and eat healthy at the same time, you can bake your own peanuts. Personally, I enjoy buying nuts and cranberries from a local store and mixing them myself. To cut down the sodium, I use salted peanuts, and unsalted versions of everything else in the mix: cashews, almonds, etc… This makes for a cheap, high-quality trail mix. Dried fruits also make for a tasty snack, and I find dried mangoes to be quite filling.
Stay Smart
Well, that concludes my list for minimalist winter photography supplies. As a postscript, I would like to remind you all to be safe out there. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and avoid extremely windy days where tree limbs are likely to fall. Leave the comfortable shoes at home and wear winter boots. When walking on ice, make sure to keep your center of gravity above your stepping foot, not ahead or behind it. If the visibility is bad, be extra cautious when crossing intersections. Have fun taking portraits of Old Man Winter!