Embracing Winter (as a photographer)

Author and hiking enthusiast Alfred Wainwright once said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”
That statement has stuck with me for years. I think about it every time the weather is inclement or there’s a chance that I’ll be uncomfortable for a minute. Because in reality, we can delay the feeling of being too wet, too cold, or too hot in the clothing choices we make. I hear people complain about the weather all the time. And while I always try my best not to complain (I still do), I think a lot of those complaints come from bad not wearing the right clothing or not being prepared.

I’m a photographer by trade, and landscape photography is my favourite part of shooting photos. A large ingredient of photographing landscapes is getting to them, and that often means standing around in bad weather to get the shot. It also can mean hiking to reach your destination to get a a rare perspective that you can’t drive to. I’m a reluctant hiker, but I’ve learned to accept my fate as long as there’s an epic view to be had at the end. I’ll pack in fifty or sixty pounds of gear just to get the shot I’ve imagined. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Not winter, but it involved hiking for 10kms in the snow. Photo by Johanna Short.

Summertime hiking is easier most of the time, but there are inherent challenges within the warm months. Bugs, predators, and the heat can present real nuisances and seldom life-threatening problems if you’re not prepared. Not to mention, the light in the summer is mostly too harsh to snap a good photo. Winter has its own set of issues, but I’ve learned that if you’re prepared, it can be more enjoyable and rewarding because the light is usually better for photography.

I’ve spent most of my life in British Columbia, and a fair chunk of that in the city of Kamloops. This desert town can see temperature swings from minus 40 to plus 45 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is rare, as Kamloops can accumulate less than 30cm of wet stuff annually. Bad clothing choices here can not only make you uncomfortable, it can kill you if you’re not prepared. The photo below is part of my favourite series and was shot during a cold snap in the back hills surrounding Kamloops. At 38 below zero, not many people were out, but the crisp, clean air presented such incredible light that I’m glad I went.

38 degrees below zero but totally worth it.

Kamloops has some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes anywhere in the country. I knew that to get this shot, I would have to traipse through sagebrush and cross a small canyon. While it doesn’t look that cold, it was 20 degrees below zero and windy. It’s always windy next to Kamloops Lake.

A long exposure and and even longer train.

This photo of Mount Robson (the highest peak in the Rockies) was taken during an impromptu road trip to Jasper a few years ago. While driving back from Jasper, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw that huge peak clear of any clouds. It was cold enough that not a lot of people were on the roads. I pulled over, walked to the middle of the highway, placed my camera on the ground and shot this image. Still, possibly my favourite photo I’ve ever taken, it was completely unplanned and had an element of good luck. This image won me an award and was because I embraced being out in not-so-nice weather.

At nearly 13,000ft high, Mount Robson towers above Highway 16.

My current home in North Vancouver is much milder. However, we can be greeted with ten times that of my former home with 300cm of rainfall every year. And mostly all of that is in the winter. When I moved from Kamloops to North Van, I realized I didn’t own a rain jacket. Once I splurged on one, I was off to the races, so to speak. I’ve also invested in camera rain covers and umbrellas lately because getting the shot is more important than my comfort.

A rare sunny winter day in Vancouver. No hiking shoes were harmed in the making of this photo.

Newfoundland, on the other hand, seems to be getting warmer every year. It’s not uncommon to experience balmy Christmases that would make your average Vancouverite jealous. But as the saying goes, “Don't like the weather? Wait a minute”, Newfoundland is the undefeated champion of weather changes. Growing up in Conception Bay South, it was impossible to plan an outing. I remember wanting to go skateboarding with my friends in June but we couldn’t because it was snowing. Yes, snowing in June.

Winter just adds a certain depth, doesn't it?

A fishing boat, lighthouse, and snow. How perfect.

My last visit to Newfoundland was last Christmas, and yes, my wife and I faced all types of weather. Our arrival up until Christmas day was as mild as Vancouver. Then winter decided to make an appearance with 80km/hr winds at minus 15 degrees. I’m glad I brought my insulated jacket because otherwise, I would have stayed inside. The photo opportunities were everywhere with that low January sun and choppy seas. 

So cold. So pretty.

I couldn’t feel my hands shooting this image.

My wife and I will build fires and have a good ol’ Newfie boil-up as part of the experience. One memorable experience was on Valentine's day just outside of Kamloops. We hike for an hour to get to the top of this bluff that overlooks the lake. Not only did we pack in camera gear, but also a bottle of champagne and a charcuterie board complete with fine meats and cheeses. The result was a good photo and a memorable experience. 

Best Valentine's date ever.

Never not having fun playing in the snow.

My dad loves a good boil-up too.

As a photographer, some of my most memorable photos have been taken in the winter. I’ve learned to embrace the cold and dress appropriately to get the shot. Winter can present such dramatic scenes that you can’t get on a warm summer day, thus making my job as a landscape photographer that much easier. I’ve learned to love winter and look forward to it every year.


Wayne “Cold nose, warm heart” Parsons