The dead of winter is a bad time for most businesses, but not for your resort. Skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports are your lifeblood. While you’ve got a core of consistent clients, you’re also looking to get new customers – and for that, you’ll need new photography. In this blog, we’ll look at the obstacles you’ll need to overcome, as well as tips and tricks to get the best snow photography that’s possible.
Scheduling Photography Around a Snowstorm
Finding the perfect time that shares perfect snow and good lighting can be tricky. You’ll need to work with your photographer to schedule a time when both they and the resort are ready. A few tips:
Do a photography walkthrough early. It’s important your photographer know your resort. Schedule a photography walkthrough before the big shoot and provide them with example images of previous winters to get an idea for snow.
Pay close attention to the weather. Both you and your photographer have to be weathermen. Know when the storms are coming and when there will be light to shoot.
Make sure your resort is ready for the shoot. Make sure areas are free of construction and clutter, and staff and landscapers have tided the area and rooms. Learn more in our post, What Must Be Changed Before Building Photography Starts.
Getting Perfect Snow Photography During and After
Shooting snow, especially during an overcast, can be tricky. It requires finding the right times, angles, and lighting. It can also take a little bit of photoshop trickery to get the snow to really pop.
In my blog, Making Your Snow Pictures Stand Out, I discuss the settings and techniques needed in photo manipulation software like Adobe Lightroom to take images from great to amazing. Make sure to give it a read for more information.
Dealing with Poor Snow at Resorts
Not every photo shoot date will have a perfect snowfall or condition at the resort. This can be countered by options like shooting around melts late into the year or using flattering perspective. If there is unfinished landscaping, ongoing construction, or other unsightly visuals, they can often be shot around or digitally edited out.
Don’t forget about interior and food photography, as clients want to see the other amenities of your resort besides the snow.
Want to know more or schedule a shoot at your snow resort? Contact me at Shupe Studios. We provide photography year-round and all the solutions to make it possible, including expert resort photography.