For Photographers: When the Weather's Up in the Air
A big deal for many wedding photographers is watching the weather forecast as their clients' wedding date approaches. We all crave that beautiful golden hour glow, but the reality is it’s just not always so.
So what to do when the weather seems uncertain? Here are some tips and tricks for dealing with the unknown on wedding day in regard to weather.
Wayah Bald. Raining all day and evening. Heavy loud coverage and session taken close to sunset leaving little room for “adequate” lighting. The couple's mint, blue and white outfits played nicely with the scene and forecast providing us a moody yet subtle whimsical feeling.
1. Be prepared.
Pack a poncho and a plastic covering for your precious equipment. If the clouds decide to let loose, you can laugh back at them knowing it can’t damage the goods. Clear plastic umbrellas are another great goody to keep in your car if you need to get the bride and groom out in some rain which will provide a fun alternative to sticking indoors.
When you can’t find light, make your light. Darian and Drake’s session got dark, quickly! We improvised and we LOVE how it came out!
2. Watch the light.
Often times it doesn’t actually rain, it just get’s dark. Stick to well lit areas which can help illuminate your subject. An opening in the woods, close to a window, or out in the wide open are all good options for a cloudy day. Steer clear of dark areas with ample shade like under a tree or tucked in a dark room. You may need to bounce around to find the perfect spot but once you find it, you’re good to go!
We had a clear cold evening but we got a late start to our session. The Dragstedt’s outfits complimented the magenta, purple, and orange hues the sunset brought. We also chose to shoot east on top of a ridge so what little light was left was hitting their faces.
3. Reassure your client.
It’s stressful for a bride and groom to see clouds looming on their wedding day. Remind them that you will still get terrific shots. Perhaps even show them a glimpse of what you’ve taken to set their mind at ease.
Our ISO was set to 500, f stop to 2.8 and our shutter 200. We stood super still and again faced as much east so the western setting sun could provide all the potential light we needed.
4. Get creative.
In the event of heavy rain, think outside the box. Consider getting in the couples getaway car and taking some intimate shots of them in the backseat. They’ll probably enjoy the quiet anyway!
Sometimes the sun is heavy and there is not a cloud in sight. Just embrace it like we did here with the Crowell family out in the middle of a field.
5. Breathe.
Your energy will be in the spotlight. Don’t let stress of the uncontrollable effect your demeanor. Stay professional, stay confident and go get those great shots we all know you can achieve!
Even with the bright sun rays, encourage your client’s to face the light. Let them close their eyes or turn to the side so it’s not completely blinding them. Play a little and let your inner creative tackle the challenge. You’re result might surprise you.