Being an outdoor portrait photographer living in Seattle, a very common question I receive from clients is:
I've come to understand why less than ideal weather has proved to be an advantage during my shoots. Let me share:
Should we reschedule if it rains?
This guide explains why Seattle rainy-day photoshoots can be stunning. Of course concerns about weather makes sense. Family photographs are an investment of your time, money and energy. Further, you're agreeing for work that you can't fully see yet, so it's natural to want the conditions to be perfect on photoshoot day.
But here's the truth, at least in Seattle: waiting for perfect weather is a fast way to never get your photos taken. Life keeps moving, our children keep grown and those real family moments you had intended to remember and treasure have now passed.
In the eight years I've been photographing families outdoors, I’ve worked through just about everything - windy days, broiling hot days, drizzle, and the classic ever-changing forecast where there's still "chance of rain". I still haven’t received a weather machine for Christmas in all this time, so I’ve learned how to make the most of what the day gives us. And one thing has held true every time:
A little rain doesn't ruin a photoshoot. In fact, it's often what makes it.
This was a rainy day session in Redmond, WA in the fall. The parents were such great sports and even though we wrapped it up early once the downpour hit, we came away with once in a lifetime shots. The soft glow, the little boy's expression of wonder and excitement and just the overall cozy energy during this shoot resulted in portraits this family will always treasure. (grandma has even mentioned to me that this was one of her all-time favorites).
1. Diffuse light is flattering
2. I bring my own lights
3. Tricky weather brings out real moments
Seattle’s cloudy skies act like a gigantic softbox that cast flattering light on your faces. Diffusion of the sunlight softens shadows and smooths out contrast so faces look even. By contrast, shooting under direct sunlight at noon under a clear blue sky is trickier to photograph due to the harsh highlights and shadows cast on the skin. If you've ever seen a photograph of someone against the light from a window, this is an outdoor version of that.
This was a couples photoshoot taken on a drizzly day in Redmond, WA. The quiet, idyllic path and patter of raindrops made for a magical, romantic session.
As a professional portrait photographer, I don't wait for the sunshine - I make my own. I bring my own lighting tools and modifiers that lets me set the scene intentionally to my warm, portraiture style. While the clouds provide softness, I add my own warm backlight to create that golden glow you'll notice is characteristic of my photographic style and to draw attention to my subject. Next I add a second key light in front of my subject so that everyone remains beautifully lit. Now combine all this with a little mist or drizzle and suddenly the photograph comes to life with depth, atmosphere and cinematic feeling.
I once photographed a family visiting from Hawaii who had a very small window here in Seattle. Their only available session time landed on a rainy day and rescheduling simply wasn’t an option. Being from Hawaii, this family was keen on bringing back a piece of the Pacific Northwest with them and so they were keen on having our photoshoot rain or shine. The reflection of my lighting against the wet ground, the misty glow against vibrant trees together with kids that were delighted to be playing outside in the rain resulted in outstanding portraits that feel like a memory you can step back into.
A little behind the scenes glimpse at some of the lighting tools I like to use on outdoor shoots.
Here's the part most people don't expect and that surprised me as well: a little unpredictability often creates the most authentic connection experience. Children appear more playful, parents huddle in closer and families show up less stiff because they stop "performing". Instead, they're being present with each other. Rain has a funny way of giving people permission to loosen up - maybe it's because we stop chasing perfection allowing us to find joy in real moments with our loved ones. Capturing the beauty in these real moments is exactly my mission.
4. Fewer people means cleaner backgrounds
Even in the Pacific Northwest, rain tends to clear out all the parks. That means fewer strangers in the background, a more focused photoshoot session and more space to move at your family's pace. It also makes your session experience feel calmer like you have the location to yourselves, even at popular Seattle-area spots.
If it's truly unsafe then yes, we reschedule. But in many cases, it's the ingredient that turns an ordinary session into something atmospheric, intimate, and unforgettable.
A Hawaiian Family's Rainy Day Session
