Hey Reader,
I spent this week photographing the ice castles (during that crazy historic winter storm, no less).
I am the photography supervisor there and had some FUN!
However, this meant sideways snow, brutal cold, and me standing in the dark with a tripod, a camera wrapped in a plastic bag with a hole cut out for the lens like some kind of feral winter photographer.
Winter photography is not gentle.
Most of these photos were taken at night, which meant long exposures, frozen fingers, and crowds that absolutely did not care that I needed everyone to stop moving for just five seconds.
Add blowing snow and fogging lenses into the mix, and every shot felt like a small negotiation with the universe.
The light inside the ice castles is strange and artificial with deep blues, glowing walls, harsh shadows. At first, I fought it. I tried to warm things up, correct the color, tame the weirdness. And then I realized the mistake.
I let the photos feel cold.
Once I stopped resisting the conditions, the images finally made sense. The ice wasn’t supposed to look cozy. It was supposed to look icy. The discomfort wasn’t a flaw; it was part of the story.
That’s something travel photography keeps reminding me of: not every photo comes from ideal conditions. Some of the most compelling images happen when things are hard, messy, and wildly imperfect.
So yes...my hands were frozen. Yes...my camera wore a trash bag like the diva she is. And yes...long exposures in crowds during a snowstorm are mildly unhinged.
And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Because the magic isn’t just in the destination. It’s in showing up when it’s uncomfortable, and pressing the shutter anyway.
Stay adventurous my little shutterbugs,
Alexandra
Live adventurously through your lens
Do you have an epic winter photo? I'd love to see it! DM me or respond to this email for a chance to be featured on the newsletter!
