Cold Day E Shoot Tips?

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

In about a week and a half I have my first E shoot (where's the nail biting emoticon when you need it?!); the couple just let me know today they want me (yay!). I would love to hear some suggestions for cold weather shoots. We'll be shooting in a great downtown area that has nice wide river falls going through it. I'm just concerned that they'll look like a couple of bundled up snowpeople...
On another note--I've had limited experience using my fairly new 580EXII and am worried about not getting enough fill light on the faces...I have a DIY diffuser (which I've practiced with indoors and can get some decent exposures), but I was wondering if an off camera bracket makes a huge difference? I also have a smallish (maybe 36") set of reflectors and my hubs is coming along to help by holding one for me. The shoot will be around 3pm, and I'm thinking the girl will want some shots in the city, and I'm concerned with there being little light b/c of bldgs...I'm hoping to go to the area before the shoot and wander around to look with an eye towards picking spots....any tips here? Thanks!

[videochicke]

Keep a set of batteries for the flash and camera nice and warm close to your body. Batteries lose a lot of power when they get cold. Also have a plastic bag to wrap around your camera when you bring it from the cold back into the warmth. You don't want condensation to form on your camera. When scouting out the spot, you may be starting at three, but you really need to look at the light an hour or more later as that is when part of the shooting will take place.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Keep a set of batteries for the flash and camera nice and warm close to your body. Batteries lose a lot of power when they get cold. Also have a plastic bag to wrap around your camera when you bring it from the cold back into the warmth. You don't want condensation to form on your camera. When scouting out the spot, you may be starting at three, but you really need to look at the light an hour or more later as that is when part of the shooting will take place.
Thanks, Julie! Someone else also mentioned to me about keeping the batteries warm--in apocket or my BRA! :lol:Appreciate the plastic bag tip!

[auroraskye]

Thus far, what is the temperature expected to be? Have them dress in layers, so if they get warm, they can take them off. Have them wear some cute colorful hats/scarves, but, be careful with scarves... You want to make sure you can see some neck, otherwise it's just awkward looking. Think about stopping halfway for a coffee break to warm them up. You might also get some of those hand warmer things you can get at WalMart or wherever.. once you activate them, they will last a while.. Your couple could put them in their shoes or pockets or what not.

If there is decent overhead light, I really suggest going the reflector route. I have seen a lot of people over use the flash and photos end up flat and flashy, when natural light would have been plenty sufficient.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Thus far, what is the temperature expected to be? Have them dress in layers, so if they get warm, they can take them off. Have them wear some cute colorful hats/scarves, but, be careful with scarves... You want to make sure you can see some neck, otherwise it's just awkward looking. Think about stopping halfway for a coffee break to warm them up. You might also get some of those hand warmer things you can get at WalMart or wherever.. once you activate them, they will last a while.. Your couple could put them in their shoes or pockets or what not.

If there is decent overhead light, I really suggest going the reflector route. I have seen a lot of people over use the flash and photos end up flat and flashy, when natural light would have been plenty sufficient.

Supposed to be like a high of 42, I think (I know! I hear all you tough Northeners groaning & muttering, "She thinks that's cold?!?" but it is for us!). Not freezing, but definitely red noses and bunched shoulders!

yeah, about the scarves--that's what I mean! I envision neck nuzzling and some bare skin touching for e shoots but I know you can make intimate shots without it being summertime. Thanks for the suggestions! :D

i'll definitely be sticking with having my hubby hold a reflector; i don't want to do my OCF initiation on this couple! I love the lighting Julie has on this shoot http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=802659

[SuzyView]

I moved this thread to TALK as you don't have images to share.