In the UK, it rains on average 156.2 days per year (yes, really), so while you might envision a picnic in the park photo shoot to mark your engagement in June, the fact of the matter is that it could rain. Now we (definitely) don’t mean to rain on your parade, but being prepared for every weather scenario is key. Whatever the weather, you can definitely still pull off an amazing engagement shoot and get in some practice, ahead of the main event.
If you have an engagement shoot coming up, check out our top tips for nailing it, regardless of the weather.
Layer up
When it comes to choosing an outfit for your engagement shoot, one of the best pieces of advice we can give you is to layer up. This includes warm days too as in this country, we’ve been known to experience all four seasons on the same day. The great thing about layers is that you can take off what you don’t need. A light raincoat is always a good call, as are ankle boots in autumn and winter. Remember, wet weather doesn’t call for dreary clothes. If you’re someone who usually dresses in colour, embrace it for your engagement shoot.
Bring a brolly
Where would we be without our trusty umbrellas?! Whether it’s rain, sleet or snow, umbrellas are definitely a winning option for all weather scenarios. While you might fear that an umbrella will detract from the style of a photo, we beg to differ. There’s something truly romantic about a couple huddled under its cover so this can really make for a special engagement photo. If style is important to you, ahead of your shoot, you might want to shop for a fancy one. You could even opt for a personalised one, with Etsy offering a wealth of options. Finally, a hat could also come in handy.
Embrace it
If you’re a couple who dares to do things differently, why not fully embrace the wet weather?! Whether it’s running through puddles, enjoying a romantic kiss in the rain or dancing in it, embracing the wet weather and working with it, rather than against it can lead to some pretty spectacular shots. You’ll definitely be left with photos which are far from boring and break the boundaries of traditional engagement photos. Plus, you can enjoy the best of both worlds by having some indoor photos taken firstly before heading outdoors and getting a little wet. If the worst happens on your wedding day and it’s wet, you would still end up with some great photos!
Consider your lighting
This point is particularly important for winter engagement shoots. Take note of when you’re going to get the best natural daylight and work the timing of your shoot around it to use it to your advantage. Bad weather can hinder your natural light but an experienced photographer will be able to work with this. Once daylight is gone, it’s gone, so make sure you get out there as early in the day as you can so that you have plenty of time to utilise it.
Have a back-up location in mind
If you wake up to a monsoon and the location you have in mind is all about sunshine, a rain check might be required. If your photographer is open to it, rescheduling might be an option. Or, if you absolutely must shoot on a given date, make sure you have a backup location in mind. Thankfully, there’s plenty of parks with sheltered areas which you can meander around and take cover from the rain.
Thanks to a little prep and an experienced photographer, a rainy day engagement shoot won’t be a problem.
If you are considering having some photos taken to mark this occasion in your life, get in touch today.Â