Well, it is winter time and that time of the year when many photographers don't seem to have the motivation to go out and take images. It is not because there are not enough subjects and locations to shoot during the cold weather months it because is just plain cold. As I write this post I just heard that this new years day will be one of the coldest days on record in New York City. Of course, that does not mean a lot to me because I am in North Carolina and we are not that cold. All I can say for those people in New York City during the ball drop is bundle up because it is going to get a bit nippy.
The challenge for most photographers in the winter is to stay motivated, in addition to staying warm. For me, cold weather is just something I have to deal with each winter. Living in North Carolina is keep reminding myself that North Carolina in winter is not that cold. I lived in South Dakota for four years and Alaska for a year. Those locations were cold. Of course, I was not big into photography at the time and motivation was not the big issues. The biggest issue was not freezing to death.
So, how can a person stay motivated in the winter? I have found that it is important to have a plan. Planning may involve selecting locations you can shot that may not require a lot of long-distance travel. If you do travel in winter it is a good idea to be prepared for any emergencies and make sure you have all your gear. One of the most frustrating things is having fully charged batteries when trying to shoot in the cold weather. Batteries in winter tend to drain very fast. It is a good idea to keep them warm before use can sure you take the appropriate amount of fully charged batteries for the trip. If you decide to not go out and battle mother nature you can do other activities to keep your motivation. What I like to do in the cold weather months is to use my time to improve my photography knowledge. I enjoy grabbing a nice cup of coffee and studying other photographers work, watch photography Youtubers, listen to photography podcast, read photography articles, take advantage of free online tutorials. find new tips and tricks for my post-processing software, re-edit some of my old images, work on photo enhancement projects, scan old photos, collaborate with other photographers, make marketing materials for my business, write blog posts, improve my website and follow up with my customers.
As you can see there are many ways to stay motivated and focused on photography. The objective is to keep moving and not get stagnant. I always like to remind myself of a great simple motto, "Walk On". The motto means if you are moving you are living. If you not moving you are dying. It is just that simple in life and can apply to one's photography. You just need to walk on. Whatever you decide to do this winter keep warm. The cold weather will not last forever.
Until next time, keep shooting!
Roger Younce