Rainy photoshoots are romantic
Let’s be honest, if you want your photos to truly feel like the UK, rain is part of the story. There’s something beautifully real about it: the glistening pavements, soft diffused light, and the way the world seems to slow down under a grey sky. Rain brings movement, reflection and atmosphere that you simply can’t fake! Rain really isn't a bad thing.
Think windswept hair, raindrops on cheeks and cosy embraces under an umbrella - it’s intimate, cinematic and full of life. Some of my favourite photoshoots have happened when it rains. My photoshoots have always been about embracing the environment around you - rain or shine!
Embracing the rain
A successful rainy photoshoot is down to mindset. If you go into it expecting chaos, you’ll feel tense. But if you choose to embrace the rain, everything changes! Your photographer wants you to remember how you laughed as you ran through puddles or danced in the drizzle, and how the photos told the story exactly as it was. Bring a sense of adventure and trust your photographer to handle the practical side.
What to wear to a rainy photoshoot
When dressing for a rainy photoshoot, think texture and layering. Earthy tones, wool jumpers, boots you can move in – anything that adds character and warmth. Flowing dresses look incredible when they catch the wind, and coats or shawls can be both stylish and functional. I recommend wearing thermal layers under all your outfits if it's winter. If it’s really coming down, I can bring along an umbrella. They photograph beautifully and they add that classic “British love story” feel - see below!
How much rain is too much? (and don’t worry, the camera’s safe)
If it’s not just rain but gale-force wind and a full-on storm, we’ll take it case by case. My goal is to give you the best experience possible, and sometimes that means waiting for calmer skies especially if you're pregnant or have a mobility issue.
Reschedules due to unsafe weather will depend on availability – it might mean moving your session a few weeks or months ahead, or shifting the time of day (for example, a mid-morning shoot instead of a sunset one). I’ll always do my best to find the soonest possible slot. There may be fees involved due to extra travel expenses. In the summer months I book up 4 months in advance so please take this into consideration and that I cannot always find a new date close to your original one.
Another option is to change the location to a more sheltered spot. Such as your home, a museum/gallery or public area with cover - this will be dependant on how far you can travel, permission/permit availability from venues and where your original session is.
I use protective covers on my cameras to keep everything safe and dry and I’ve shot in all kinds of weather - your photos will be just fine.
Don’t trust the forecast too early
Clients have been known to text me two weeks before a session worried about the forecast but here’s the truth: UK weather forecasts are not reliable. Especially in the winter months, things can change overnight. If you’re tempted to check the weather weeks before your shoot, try to hold off. The most accurate forecasts are usually 1–2 days out. I always keep an eye on the radar and will be in touch the day before if we need to tweak timings or locations due to unworkable conditions.
All photos taken below were taken in drizzle and downpour! (Video at bottom of page).
How likely is it to rain on my photoshoot?
For the data-lovers out there, here’s a rough guide for the average chance of rain in the UK throughout the year. In the UK, there’s roughly a one-in-three to one-in-two chance of rain on any given day, depending on the month. Summer tends to be drier (around 30–40% chance of rain), while late autumn and winter climb closer to a 50–60% chance. (This is per day, and photoshoots tend to last between 1-2 hours so there's that to think about too!).
Month and percentage change of rain on any given day:
January 58%
February 52%
March 50%
April 42%
May 38%
June 38%
July 34%
August 33%
September 39%
October 44%
November 53%
December 52%
How likely is there to be a sunrise or sunset on my photoshoot?
If you’re really hoping to catch a sunrise or sunset and the golden light it brings, here’s what your chances look like. Just remember: seeing the sun rise or set will never make or break your photoshoot - I always recommend planning as if it won’t happen, and treating it as a lovely bonus if it does!
Month and percentage chance of seeing or partially seeing the sunset on any given day (based on UK cloud cover averages):
January 29%
February 35%
March 37%
April 44%
May 46%
June 51%
July 57%
August 54%
September 50%
October 42%
November 32%
December 28%
Sources for weather sats
https://weatherspark.com/y/45061/Average-Weather-in-City-of-London-United-Kingdom-Year-Round
https://crudata.uea.ac.uk/~timo/climgen/national/web/UnitedKingdom/obs_cld.htm
https://www.pumpstationsdirect.com/uks-most-rainy-months-and-rainfall-trends/?srsltid=AfmBOooyi_6VjhPB4cQev9RE83FzK4vabN2RwxmT-if2iCTWeLy4UfuT&utm_source=chatgpt.com
