I was actually discussing this yesterday; on most of my environmental shoots, the models have been freezing; yet I can't recall any bringing gloves, warm hats, appropriate jackets, food, etc... even to shoots in somewhat remote areas lasting several hours. If a shoot is in such a remote place as a waterfall in the country and you'll be going in the water too, I can't stress enough the importance of bringing spare clothes, warm clothes and basics like water and something to eat; all of which can be a life saver should something go wrong. Even small mis haps like a sprained ankle can become much worse if you are getting hyperthermic, suffering through hunger, heat exhaustion, etc 

If I remember my geography lessons from school correctly the erosion caused by a waterfall usually means there is inevitably a deep pool immediately under the spot were the water lands. There is often, also a cave behind the water as the water cuts back and under the river that it comes from. These features gradually grow over time. The sort of cascade where you get water tumbling over scattered rocks will give you white water over the rocks and deep bits at the bases of the rocks.

If I may, I would like to expand the very good advice given to include other places. Derelict buildings especially are potential death traps. Floor that look completely safe can give way and dump you into a flooded cellar, from which there is no escape. Safety first is paramount and the photographer may be held to be liable.

Had my first shoot with a different model than the missus on sat and I had her sitting/balancing on wooden window frames in a derelict building with no glass panes. And the whole time all I could think was 'please don't fall' every time she changed poses. I'd of been gutted if I'd accidently killed my first ever model. Haha

Doing Eskimo Rolls escape practise in a small kayak some years ago I was happy with the principle. Capsize boat, pull out of boat, rise to the surface. Simples. Until fatty could not get his bum out of the boat! Woops.

Glad you are ok, and thanks for the heads up. Waterfalls look so pretty, easy to fall into that pattern of thinking.

Erika Sykes Photography said

I was actually discussing this yesterday; on most of my environmental shoots, the models have been freezing; yet I can't recall any bringing gloves, warm hats, appropriate jackets, food, etc... even to shoots in somewhat remote areas lasting several hours. If a shoot is in such a remote place as a waterfall in the country and you'll be going in the water too, I can't stress enough the importance of bringing spare clothes, warm clothes and basics like water and something to eat; all of which can be a life saver should something go wrong. Even small mis haps like a sprained ankle can become much worse if you are getting hyperthermic, suffering through hunger, heat exhaustion, etc 

Emergency chocolate bars for energy and and water should live in any models bag anywhere at the very least.. I can't eat early, especially when faced with the potential of mothfuls of unwanted water or extreme curled nude poses etc.. It's not comfortable.. But milky coffee has been a staple all my life to line your stomach, and Lucozade works for me for energy.. Energy drinks work for some, but Tuarine and I are not best friends, and doesn't always agree with people :)

Jerome Razoir said

If I remember my geography lessons from school correctly the erosion caused by a waterfall usually means there is inevitably a deep pool immediately under the spot were the water lands. There is often, also a cave behind the water as the water cuts back and under the river that it comes from. These features gradually grow over time. The sort of cascade where you get water tumbling over scattered rocks will give you white water over the rocks and deep bits at the bases of the rocks.

If I may, I would like to expand the very good advice given to include other places. Derelict buildings especially are potential death traps. Floor that look completely safe can give way and dump you into a flooded cellar, from which there is no escape. Safety first is paramount and the photographer may be held to be liable.

That was the conclusion we came to as well....:)

I'm heading for a long soak after the trip home this morning, but wanted to get this up as it's that season now.... But I'll write another for derelict buildings over the next couple of days... The same major rule applies to derelict buildings though too... Don't assume it looks solid so it is. Check it first..... And if i doubt, don't be brave and try it.. You're gut instinct is probably right...

Excellent and very timely advice. How often do you hear on the news of some poor person drowning in a lake/river/reservoir/dis-used quarry etc. etc. It may look nice and inviting but what's below the surface can be deadly.  

Photogasm said

Had my first shoot with a different model than the missus on sat and I had her sitting/balancing on wooden window frames in a derelict building with no glass panes. And the whole time all I could think was 'please don't fall' every time she changed poses. I'd of been gutted if I'd accidently killed my first ever model. Haha

Nomad said

Glad you are ok, and thanks for the heads up. Waterfalls look so pretty, easy to fall into that pattern of thinking.

samthedog said

Excellent and very timely advice. How often do you hear on the news of some poor person drowning in a lake/river/reservoir/dis-used quarry etc. etc. It may look nice and inviting but what's below the surface can be deadly.  

Yep! Even I can fall guilty of getting over excited... It's easy to do...:) Making sure at least one of you has some good experience and a calm head is a good idea!!!

This was it's baby brother a couple of weeks ago... Very peaceful looking and easy but you can see access isn't easy for anything, and it was only a few degrees, had poured with rain all day, and was blowing an icy howling gale here,after a fairly steep and lengthy walk... A few frames at a time at most and again horribly slippery :)

Another factor to consider is that for every reasonably safe easy looking shot, there is often a huge amount of thought, planning and consideration behind it to make it look easy..but probably only for a few seconds!!! And then there are the dozens off "wish" shots behind them that people don't see, that are just too risky.. If you then try and replicate that wish shot, you can end up in bother very quickly....

Just added these to the article...:)

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS...

Silk glove liners from motorbike shops or equestrian retailers etc are super cheap and very warm but thin enough to continue doing most things..

Walking boots and extra sheepskin soles can save you putting socks on and off constantly, and a broken ankle..

Hand and foot warmers

Flasks of hot drinks

If your head and your feet are cold, so is the rest of you 

Chillblains hurt..thaw slowlyand don't jump straight into hot baths or put freezing hands and feet on heaters

Sleeping bags can be good to put models in to hide them from the public or keep them warm between shots

Pop up tents make good windbreaks

You need to know the predicted temperature WITH WINDCHILL! It may be a nice warm sunny day, but if it's blowing a North wind it's gonna be much colder..

Algae of any colour is to be avoided... Both blue and green are common and can cause poisoning..

Make sure somebody knows where you're going and when you should check in or be back

 Look for experience from model or photographer that they have experience of these sorts of locations, and if it's not there ask for it.. They should be happy to provide it and no question should be a stupid one  If you're unsure, don't shoot until you are..

Make regular donations to lifeboats/mountain rescues and air ambulances if you shoot these sorts of plces.. They rely on your donations and  it might just be you one day..

Put the required number of layers on, and then tie another round your waste or put it in yourbag... Better to have it and not use it than regret it..

Edited by Marmalade

Another point to make going off topic for a moment, if you are doing a bondage style shoot that involves weight baring points in walls and ceilings is to make sure they can take shock loads because if the model loses her balance and falls over there is nothing to stop her if the hook pulls out of the rawlplug fixing until she hits the floor with a thud!!!

Always test fixing points with at least 2 people hanging on them or use proper lifting points that are a large size even tree branches can fail without warning!!!

Page from my Guide to Photographing Nudes In The Landscape with the typical contents of my emergency kit, which goes everywhere the model does. In addition, if the shoot will involve water, mud etc, then I take towels, wet wipes, extra layers etc (ultra-light down jacket is easy to carry but super warm).

I have the joys (at times) of educating people about the perils of the countryside, lots of pupils have idyllic images of the countryside in their heads' and do not consider the dangers of the country.

As an instructor of such fine arts such as First Aid I would STRONGLY advise that people complete at least a basic 1 day emergency first aid course (3 day FAW would be better) so they would have the confidence and knowledge to deal with a situation until the professional medical services arrive.

Maybe I should offer a discount course for models, MUAs and photographers :)

Space blankets from outdoor pursuit or camping stores are cheap and very versatile.

"Furry Suits" from caving specialists are a good investment for any outdoor nude model.

They wick water away quickly and trap pockets of air which helps to warm up or maintain temperature.

If you but the under-suit type, you'll need some hiking waterproofs as an over-suit to cut down the wind-chill effect.

Surfers board socks are a good investment too.

Canadian bride’s last words before being dragged to her death by water-logged wedding gown during ‘trash the dress’ photo shoot: ‘It’s too heavy’ 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/canadian-bride-words-dragged-death-water-logged-wedding-gown-trash-dress-photo-shoot-heavy-article-1.1145343