If there’s one thing this winter has taught me, it’s that you can plan absolutely everything for a photoshoot… except the weather.
Of course, working as an outdoor photographer means weather-related reschedules are always going to be part of the job. I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I’m certainly no stranger to watching forecasts, moving sessions around or making last minute calls. But I can genuinely say I’ve never had this many weather reschedules in one season. This winter has really tested me!
Shepparton and the surrounding areas have had such an incredibly wet and inconsistent winter. We’ll wake up to beautiful clear skies, only for rain to roll in by the afternoon. Other days start off grey and miserable before suddenly turning into the most beautiful evening. Then there are those days where the forecast seems to change every few hours and you’re left wondering which version to believe.
For outdoor sessions, that makes planning interesting to say the least.
I always keep a very close eye on the weather leading up to a photoshoot, particularly when I know clients are organising outfits, getting children ready, travelling or arranging their day around their session. Rescheduling isn't something I take lightly because I know it can be frustrating and inconvenient for everyone involved. Thankfully, my clients this winter have been incredibly understanding and patient when we've needed to make changes.
And sometimes, even with all that planning, the weather still wins. I’ve actually had a couple of recent sessions where rain arrived unexpectedly during the shoot!! While a few drops aren't necessarily enough to stop us immediately, shooting in rain isn't something I want to make a habit of. Professional camera equipment and water aren't exactly the best combination and leaving a session with a wet camera is definitely not a photographer's idea of a good time!
There’s also more to consider than simply whether it is raining at the exact time of the session. Heavy rain beforehand can leave locations muddy and waterlogged, strong winds can make shooting difficult, dark cloud cover can completely change the available light and rapidly changing conditions can affect the overall look and consistency of a gallery.
This is why sometimes I'll make the call to reschedule even when there happens to be a patch of blue sky outside. I'm looking at the conditions across the entire session window, the location we're shooting at and what the weather appears to be doing next... not just what it looks like when I glance out the window. At the end of the day, I would much rather move a session and give my clients the best possible conditions than push ahead simply because we had a date written in the calendar.
The good news?
Spring is almost here...
Although, considering how unpredictable Shepparton has been lately, I'm not making any promises about what Spring has planned for us either!
For now, I'll continue doing what I've been doing all winter: checking the forecast far too often, watching the clouds roll across the sky and hoping the weather decides to cooperate when it's time to pick up the camera.
Here's to some beautiful Spring evenings ahead, hopefully with a little less rain!
-Nikolina Photography
