All I needed was a weather report two days ago to know what my assignment would be Sunday. Not much mattered in Chicago news today more than our biggest snow storm of the year.
We’ve all photographed snow in Chicago more than a few times, and while the blizzard status makes it a little more interesting, it’s tough to come up with original photo ideas. As always, there was plenty to be made of people digging out cars, shoveling sidewalks, waiting for buses and canceled flights.
Sunday photo assignment editor Chuck Berman had a great new idea to check out Disney on Ice’s “Frozen” at the United Center. The crowd was packed with thousands of children, many in costume, who walked outside after the matinee to a mess of weather.
It was the kind of scene that’s pretty amusing when you’re not fighting it yourself. Strong winds, blowing snow and a mess of slush along Madison Street turned several young fans from smiles to tears.
I heard one parent take a few steps and declare: “I am the worst mom ever!” The kids will probably have much better memories of the show than the commute home. The evening performance was rescheduled as the storm worsened.
After filing photos (and digging out my car again), I headed out to North Avenue Beach to check on the waves. Big winds can bring crazy waves along Lake Shore Drive, sometimes shutting down the jogging path and roadway, but the weather isn’t quite that bad.
Giant mounds of ice rocking through Lake Michigan made a dramatic scene, though. The only other people crazy enough to brave the elements to see it all had cameras in hand, as well. I’m sure a few photographers will be out at first light to see if the waves are more dramatic in the morning. When the snow slows down the skyline will also add a storytelling element to the scene.
