Balancing Safety and Creativity on Mountain Photoshoots

Skiers Jakob & Aidan traverse the hillside in gale-force winds during a reccy mission in Glenfeshie, Scotland.

How to Stay Safe While Getting the Perfect Shot

Introduction

Breathtaking mountain adventure shots captivate us because they provide a glimpse into places that seem inaccessible for most, evoking both awe and inspiration. For those who frequent these environments, these images can stir powerful emotions and a longing to return. However, achieving such compelling visuals comes with inherent risks. The calculated balancing act between safety and creativity is essential. As someone who has worked as a professional adventure photographer, mountain leader, and ski guide, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can go wrong—and how preparation, experience, and caution can keep everyone safe.

In this article, I’ll share insights into how I approach mountaineering shoots, drawing from personal experience to illustrate how safety and creativity can coexist without compromise.

Research and Planning

Every shoot begins with meticulous planning. I study terrain maps, analyse weather patterns and snow reports, and identify seasonal hazards well in advance. Even with all this preparation, there’s no substitute for firsthand knowledge of the location. Knowing the area ahead of time often smooths out unexpected challenges. For instance, when scouting a shoot in the Cairngorms, local knowledge of how cornice accumulates around corrie rims from prevailing winds helps me avoid potentially dangerous avalanche zones.

Skier Jenny uses the app Fatmap to highlight potential avalanche terrain and our proposed route.

Collaboration with Experts

Being the most experienced person in a group has its challenges, especially when balancing the creative demands of photography with the responsibility for everyone’s safety. Whenever possible, I collaborate with others who share experience in the environment, whether that’s a local guide or an experienced mountaineer. When that’s not an option, I choose locations appropriate for the group’s skill level to ensure I’m not dividing my focus. Safety relies on everyone’s comfort and competence—a critical factor when you’re also trying to capture compelling images.

Skier Jakob shows of a large flake of wind slab whilst standing on a safe gradient during a reccy mission in Glenfeshie, Scotland.

On-going Risk Assessments

Risk assessment begins long before the shoot and continues throughout the day. Identifying hazards like potential rock fall during a thaw, avalanches, or unstable terrain is an ongoing process. Before starting, I brief the group on the dangers we may encounter and encourage open communication about discomfort or unease. Listening—really listening—to your team is crucial.

On one occasion, I was on a shoot where I expressed unease about crossing a snow bridge. We altered our route, which slowed us down but kept us safe. That decision proved prudent when warmer temperatures later revealed the bridge’s fragility. Safety must always trump convenience.

Gear and Equipment

The right gear can make or break a mountain based shoot—and it can also become a hazard if misused. Shooting climbers, for example, requires extra care to avoid dropping gear. Even small objects like lens caps or batteries can become deadly if they fall from a height. I tether everything to myself using ice axe leashes, ensure lens caps are taken off before ascending the wall, and inform the group when handling untethered equipment to avoid surprises. These small precautions can make a significant difference.

Managing Cold and Fatigue

Mountain environments are unforgiving. Staying warm, hydrated, and attentive is critical to avoiding errors. Beyond monitoring my own condition, I pay close attention to the group. Signs like slower pace, withdrawal from conversation, or even changes in skin tone can indicate someone is struggling. Offering quick solutions, like water or sugary snacks, can buy you time when people start flagging, but they’re never a one and done solution.

Matty, Aidan & Jakob enjoy quick refuel at the summit cairn of Ben Macdui - The second highest summit in Scotland.

Adapting to Conditions

Adverse weather often leads to the most evocative images. Rather than packing up and calling it a day, keep the camera out and keep shooting. Rime ice coating jackets, the blurred outlines of people in a storm, and the dynamic snowfall WILL create unforgettable visuals. These conditions add atmosphere and narrative to an image and are what every good adventure photographer dreams of, as long as it’s safe to continue.

Flexibility in Shooting Styles

Balancing wide landscapes with intimate close-ups is key to telling a complete story. While I often prefer prime lenses for their image quality, the versatility of a zoom lens is indispensable when conditions demand quick adaptability. Deciding this in advance—sometimes even at the car park—is part of the planning process. The last thing you want to do is expose the inside of your camera to torrential rain or snow storms during a lens change.

Jenny, Grant & Andy hand-railing a ridge during a thick snowstorm in Hokkaido, Japan.

Setting Expectations with Clients

Many clients understand the importance of safety, but it’s crucial to have open conversations about what’s realistic in extreme environments. Most outdoor brands value safe practices over risky heroics. If I feel uncomfortable with a proposed plan, I’m not afraid to step back. Protecting myself and my team always comes first over any paid opportunities.

Real Stories from the Field

Case Study: A Close Call on Mt. Yōtei

During a ski touring shoot in Hokkaido, Japan, our team planned to summit the iconic Mt. Yōtei. A perfectly conical volcano which you can ski into the crater of and return to the car park from the summit via lava flows filled with deep Japanese powder. The weather conditions for this objective hadn’t lined up throughout our trip, and on the final ski day, we decided to attempt the climb despite high winds with the knowledge that we would likely have to turn back. We identified key points to reassess the situation as we ascended before we set off. Halfway up just as we had left the tree-line and moved onto a slightly different slope aspect, the snow conditions changed abruptly from champagne powder to thick wind slab, instantly signalling avalanche danger. We all agree’d that we should turn back.

As we transitioned to descend down the volcano, a group of skiers above us came down visibly shaken. They had been caught in a big avalanche 300 meters ahead of us. The confirmation that we’d made the right decision was sobering. It’s rare to receive immediate validation for turning back, but this experience underscored the importance of trusting our experience and respecting the mountains.

Skier Jenny reaches a mountain coll with a similar conical Japanese mountain in the background.

Conclusion

The most captivating mountain shots often carry an element of risk and danger, but they’re achieved through calculated decisions and a foundation of safety. The mountains demand respect, and the best photographers understand that their subjects—and their team—always come first.

Call to Action

For photographers: Invest in technical and outdoor training to expand your capabilities and keep yourself safe in these environments.

For clients: Hire photographers who prioritise safety and bring a wealth of expertise to the table. It ensures that the stunning images you commission come without unnecessary risk.

Andy & Jenny traverse across some avalanche debris in Les Avals, Parc national de la Vanoise, France.