What To Do If It's Raining For Your Photo Session

What to do if it’s raining for your photo session.

Ah yes, such a worrisome and common question. Probably the number one question I get from my couples, families, and any clients who want an outdoor photo session.

I’m here to help clear the air on what to do if it’s raining for your session and everything else related to shooting outdoors for your photographs.

Firstly, I love shooting outdoors! Studios are great I enjoy experimenting with different lighting techniques indoors, using different backdrops. It can be a nice change of pace for me since I shoot a lot outside, I believe that doing both styles of photography makes me a well-rounded photographer. There is a lot of overlap between shooting outdoors, indoor studio-style portraits and the weddings I capture.

But here’s why photographing outside is my absolute favourite!

I like to be inspired and challenged by a space, it allows me to create unique photographs for your walls, websites, social media. Nature and architecture offer so much to the eye. It’s always different, with every space, with every person.

Now back to the main topic at hand, shooting outside as beautiful as it is, brings challenges.

In the summertime, it’s annoying bugs, like mosquitoes (always bring bug spray). They truly can make sessions unpleasant. Trust me.

Come wintertime we get a whole other challenge! Being Canadian it is not uncommon for -25 degree weather, that sharp cold wind hitting your face, fingers and toes frozen. There’s a reason why I’m busiest in the summer. I know first hand that cold when you’re standing there taking pictures. Getting engaged on Dec 31st in Banff was magical! And yet what I remember a lot of was how bloody cold it was outside!

I laugh about it now, don’t worry because it was entirely worth it.

I can do a whole other blog post later on how to handle and prepare for an outdoor winter photoshoot, as a land of the north photographer I feel like it’s my duty to pass along what I’ve learned to my fellow winter wonderland loving people out there!

So what do you do if it’s raining for your photo session?

Always check with your photographer on what their re-scheduling and cancellation policy is. I’m going to dive into what I do!

The first question to ask yourself is what type of photographs do you want?

Don’t be discouraged by dark, moody clouds. These can be dramatic, intense, and all kinds of cool! It’s different and unique. But if you had always envisioned bright sun, that warm glow of golden hour light then there is absolutely nothing wrong with rescheduling.

I’ve had clients deeply express to me that they really wanted that sunset look to their images, and an overcast and rainy day just won’t ever deliver that look to you.

I try hard not to reschedule however unless I absolutely have to. We’ve already spent weeks coordinating to find a time and sometimes we have booked a location, like access to a private park or garden. Sometimes we’re travelling to Jasper or Canmore and finding a new time to re-book a session like that can be extra tricky.

I will reschedule if it’s completely downpouring,

I’m not a monster don’t worry! If the weather is truly unfavourable we’ll find a different time and day. I also want you to have fun during our session, but remain open-minded for something neat to happen.

Nature has an interesting way of playing itself out, I’m always surprised by how quickly the weather can change. I do personally like to “wait it out” until I know for certain it’s not a shoot day.

Overcast days are still great for shooting, and if there is a little bit of rain (a light sprinkle) don’t fret. I always have clear umbrellas with me in the back of my car.

I want you to have a good time, photo sessions should be an enjoyable experience with a fantastic product and service at the end of it all. With something creative and unique.

So trust the process, and you could end up with some really cool one-of-a-kind pictures and some incredible skies.

But when all is said and done it’s your session,

these are your memories, so if you’re okay with an overcast day and potentially a little bit of rain, then great! We’ll go ahead with our original plans and embrace what mother nature has presented us.

And if your heart really isn’t in it that’s okay too! You’ve decided you want that warm sunny sun I’ll do my best to make that happen for you. I try to be as flexible as I can with my schedule with regards to all my sessions and we’ll happily find a new day.

I will always continue to love photographing outdoors. Shooting in nature has a very effortless effect, and shooting in a more urban setting brings out some edgy-ness.

You can’t ever compete with the views of the mountains, or the way your hands run along a field of tall grass. It is always different and stunning in its own way, so try and see it for what it is. I promise you, with me behind the camera, you’ll love the way your pictures turn out.

P.S. In the picture below it was actually raining! You can’t tell and these two we’re smart and wore some cute hats.

Book Rhiannon for your wedding, couples, or headshot session here.

What to do if it’s raining for your photo session