7 Tips for Cold Photo Sessions with Baby
Little did we know that it was going to be cold and windy the day of this mid-winter photo session! I know, I know…that sentence doesn’t seem to make sense. But it’s been an unseasonably warm winter here in Louisville Kentucky! So naturally, we decided to plan an outdoor photo session in January. Once we found out the weather, we made slight modifications to protect everyone from the cold, especially baby.
Babies need to be especially careful when they are out in the cold. Their little bodies have a harder time regulating temperature than big ones. Even if this is your baby’s first winter, you probably know that babies can’t tolerate cold well. In this article, I wanted to include some precautions when taking your baby outside in the cold. Because let’s face it, nobody wants to hibernate all winter long and miss out on all the fun!
Cold weather photo shoot survival tips
The day of our photo shoot was actually beautiful and sunny, but very cold and windy. Here’s how we managed a cold weather photo shoot with the baby. These tips aren’t just for babies. I actually turn into a baby in the cold, so I follow these precautions, too!
Dress appropriately for the weather
1. Dress in warm layers. As you can see in these images Mom, Dad and baby all are wearing layers and jackets. As a general guide, you want to dress your baby in the same number of layers you’re wearing, plus one.
Cover head, hands, and feet
2. Cover extremities. The natural response of the body to cold weather is to reduce blood flow to the hands and feet. To prevent additional heat loss, hypothermia, or frostbite, be sure to cover your head, hands, and feet. Notice that Baby Eden wore a simply adorable pom-pom hat, as well as mittens and boots. Pom-pom hats are definitely in fashion! Like Sophie’s pic from last winter, which was featured on Twelfth Year Senior Magazine!
Limit the time spent in the cold
3. Limit exposure time. The overall session was only about 20 minutes. Yes we did two different looks, but the locations were literally less than 10 feet apart! We also parked very close to the session location and stayed within a few feet of the parking lot. That way, we were never outside too long. If we needed to warm up, we could have easily returned to the car for a few minutes.
When working outdoors or on location with infants, I tend to stay close to the car anyway. That way we can manage without the stroller and leave the diaper bag in the car. We can travel light, but everything is close by if needed. Even at the edge of the parking lot, you can see we were able to get a variety of images in a short time.
Stay warm…but not too warm
4. Watch overheating. It’s important to note that babies can also get overheated rather quickly. Check their temperature by feeling their neck, back, and belly. They should be warm to the touch but not damp or sweaty. Remember to remove extra layers as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm car.
Lots of snuggles and cuddles!
5. This was a lifestyle session so we weren’t too concerned with having perfect poses and portraits. We wanted to show natural interactions, which means lots of snuggles. Perfect for staying warm! In between takes we also bundled Eden up with a blanket and cuddled her up in between mom and dad. Watch for more blanket shots to come from Sonny’s and George’s winter sessions!
Cold Weather Skin Care
6. Some other cold weather tips are to keep your humidifier on and your skin well moisturized. Being outside in the cold can chap your skin. Even being indoors with the heater running all the time can dry out your mucous membranes and your skin. Babies don’t have tough skin like us grown ups! A great tip is to coat their skin with a light layer of Aquaphor, Ceravie, or Eucerin.
Watch for signs of overexposure
7. Finally, did you know that babies don’t shiver? Since they can’t tell you when they’re feeling cold, you have to look for the signals. Cold skin, red skin, red nose, runny nose, a stunned or pained expression, and/or lethargy are all signs that baby (and your photographer) are feeling cold.
Take the proper precautions and you can enjoy cold weather with your baby. You can even have an outdoor photo session in the middle of winter!
Jill Nissen is a family photographer and the owner of The Proof Photography in Louisville, Kentucky. Whether you are looking for an in-studio session for your baby or older child, or a family session outdoors in ANY season, contact Jill for more information and a free consultation!
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more tips on keeping kids safe and warm in winter on their website, HealthyChildren.org
Avoiding Dry Winter Skin in Babies and Toddlers
Tips to Keep Kids Warm All Winter
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