My most recent obsession in photography is using mixed lighting techniques outdoors. Like many photographers, I chase golden hour. The best spot local to me for this is on Lake Ontario. The landscapes are just absolutely incredible. I always have beautiful visions of what these images could look like, it often keeps me up at night. Just full of excitement waiting to be able to finally bring my ideas to life.
The issue lies in the fact that Canadian weather is nothing short of bipolar. When it comes to my creative shoots, I am the kind of person who is rain or shine. If I have an idea, and I have a plan, it will get done no matter what. A special thanks to my wonderful models, who put up with this in -20 degree Celsius weather.
I absolutely love how all of the images from this shoot turned out, however it was probably one of the most stressful (and freezing) ones I had ever done in my life
We had to have an elaborate plan before shooting this day. We wanted to be able to get all of the images that we needed, in as short of time as possible. Considering that my models would be wearing dresses in weather that certainly did not call for that, we wanted things to run as smoothly as possible. Outside of frame, what you don't see is the pile of blankets and hoard of hot chocolate we had brought with us in order stay somewhat close to warm.
Between every three shots, we took what we called "jacket breaks," which is exactly what it sounds like. Getting as far away from the water as possible and as close to our jackets, blankets, and hot chocolates as we could.
I couldn't help but feel bad for my models while we were shooting these days. There I am, behind my camera wearing two jackets, three scarves, and the thickest pair of mittens you'd ever seen, and my model is in front of me wearing the smallest dress.
As much as this did not help at all, I began shooting these without all the layers. I didn't want my models to feel uncomfortable, at least not alone. We were in this together at this point, and it was crazy how much more comfortable my models became knowing that they weren't the only ones absolutely freezing. It also made us work faster, knowing that we were freezing and there was soup waiting for us on the other side of the car door.
This may have been one of the coldest shoots that I had ever done, and for a few days after I said that shooting during a Canadian sunset in March was something that I would never do again, but weeks later and I can't help but think that it was one of my favourite shoots that I had ever done.
Not only did my models and I work to create beautiful images, but it was an experience that proved to both my models and I how dedicated we are to our work. Sometimes when there is something that doesn't go quite the way you imagined, it makes everything all the more worthwhile.
