What if it is not sunny for my family portrait session?
The Pacific Northwest is one of the best places on earth, wouldn’t you agree? The evergreen trees, mountains, rivers, lakes….the list goes on for all of the beauty that surrounds us here. I feel lucky that I see a beautiful mountain daily out the windows in our home. This area is a photographer’s dream come true with all of the natural beauty around. However, if you live in the Seattle area, you know with all that greenery comes rain and grey skies.
While I LOVE a gorgeous sunset for a family portrait session, that isn’t always possible here in the great PNW.
However, grey skies can make for gorgeous family portraits.
I want to first remind you that despite the beauty around us, having family photos is not about showing off the landscape. Instead, family portraits are about documenting YOU, your family, your love, your connections, those dynamics within your family, this stage that you are in right now.
While I put emphasis on location and the time of day your session takes place for both light and to accentuate those things, those are just details working in the background. So if the sun isn’t going to shine on your photo session day, rest easy. We will still beautifully capture your family.
Grey days mean fewer people at the park.
The evening of this Seattle area family portrait session we had this park to ourselves. The entire time we saw probably three other people, and while on the beach, it was just us. If you have ever been to Lake Sammamish State Park you know that is quite a miracle. Having the place to ourselves meant not worrying about people in the background, not waiting for people to move, and just letting the kids have the run of the area.
Stormy skies can add drama to your family portraits.
If the skies begin to turn a little, those stormy skies just add even more depth and interest to your family portraits. The sky started getting darker and stormy and it was so beautiful as we played on the beach. The deep colors made this family really pop!
Kids love playing with umbrellas.
Just in case it starts to rain a little, having an umbrella on hand serves a few great purposes. Kids love to play with umbrellas like it’s a game, plus you can stay dry and extend the session a little longer. (At the end of this session the skies did OPEN up, but it was at the very end. We took a few last shots with the entire family under the umbrella and headed in!
A bonus tip: a clear umbrella photographs beautifully for family portraits. Not only can you see through it, but it lets light in and does not give off color casts (like a yellow or red one will do).
Rest easy knowing that grey skies photograph beautifully too. I know I show off a lot of strongly backlight images, however, this session just goes to show you it isn’t about that at all (make sure you scroll down and click through a “few” more favorites)! Of course, should it actually be set to rain we can always reschedule or pick a covered location (I have suggestions or we can do it in your home).
With the weather as one less worry for your regarding your session, no more excuses. Book your family portrait session now. I promise you won’t regret it.
