With all of this gloomy, wet weather we have been having, we've been getting the question "What do we do if it rains the day of the shoot?". Any time we book a shoot, we always cross our fingers and hope for gorgeous sunshine and 70 degree weather, but here in Viringia, we get all kinds of crazy weather. During certain months of the year those perfect sunny days can be few and far between. Rescheduling is not always an option for some couples, and you have to embrace the rain.
Rain is not necessarily a bad thing. You just have to know how to work with it so that it adds to the photos instead of detracting from them. Here are a few tips for clients as well as for photographers on how to deal with the rain.
I know rain can really throw you for a loop especially when it comes to what to wear. My advice is embrace the rain. If it looks like it is going to rain the day of your shoot and rescheduling is not an option, plan to dress for the weather. Wear a fun dress, some cute rain boots, and bring your favorite umbrella. Your photographer will be able to get some really cute shots of the two of you cuddled up under an umbrella enjoying the crazy weather.
Camera's can do some pretty amazing things these days. Even though it may look completely gloomy outside, your photographer should be able to work with the light to create some beautiful images. The happier and more care-free you can be in during your shoot, the better the photos will look.
Your photographer wants you to LOVE all of your photos. They will most likely do everything in their power to make sure they capture some really awesome photos no matter what the weather is like.
You should always take the time to invest in top of the line camera gear. Most professional camera bodies and lenses are built to be water resistant. The canon 5D Mark III, for example, is constructed from magnesium-alloy, which creates a tough housing for enhanced dust and water resistance. Of course you want to protect your camera gear as much as possible. However, as long as your camera gear is built from weather resistant materials, you should have no problem taking it out in light rain.
If you don't have the money to spend on professional gear, you can always get one of these plastic waterproof bags. They can be a little bulky and annoying while shooting, but it will protect your camera and allow you to shoot in the rain.
Have an assistant come with you to hold an umbrella over you. This just adds an extra level of protection for your camera gear.
Shoot with a wide open aperature and fast shutter speed. If your shutter speed is too slow, you may get a little bit of motion blur from the raindrops falling down. Having a fast shutter speed will help avoid the motion blur.
Rainy days are usually a little on the dark and gloomy side. Having a wide open aperture will help let more light in and add some depth to your images.
So many wedding and portrait photographers shy away from using a flash. However, on a rainy day a flash is your best friend. Using a flash on low power can make your images pop and create more of a glimmering look.
Back lighting your subjects while it is raining will give your photos a very intense, romantic feel. It will highlight the falling rain drops. The trick is to find the perfect angle and shoot into the light. This technique also works very well with falling snow.