Rainy Day Blues

It has been raining. And raining. And raining. And still raining around here. It just won’t let up. I know what you’re thinking – it’s Seattle; get used to it. But in my experience (only 3 and a half years, but enough to feel somewhat at home), rain in Seattle tends to be light and misty. Sure, it might rain all day long, but you typically don’t need an umbrella. As long as you dress in layers, it’s really no big thing.

This week, it’s been like a good old-fashioned rainy day in the midwest. Big, fat raindrops. Thick and heavy clouds. Puddles everywhere. Mud. Worms on the sidewalks. Eeew…

No, I didn't photograph this image. It's from the cover of McCall Magazine back in 1943! The maker's name is Nickolas Muray - he died in 1965.

I had my Beach Photo FUNdraiser this weekend. I got lucky on Saturday, and was able to shoot during the few hours the rain subsided, but there was no chance on Sunday. It was just way too gross. The whole thing got me thinking about my philosophy: Capture life as it really is. Accept what you see and make a memory out of it. Why did I decide enough was enough?

I think the rain is fun and exciting. Shooting in the rain is a challenge worth facing – and it helps to create some of the most unique images out there. I would be thrilled to have a photo session with my family in the rain!

But it’s not about me. It’s about you. I can truthfully tell you that photos in the rain – with the jackets, umbrellas, and all of that – are so fun! But I can also come to grips with the fact that some people don’t want to be pelted in the face with cold rain and wind after they’ve anticipated their photo session for so long. There’s Seattle mist; and there’s steady, fat, and oppressive RAIN. Your pictures will be around for quite a while. It’s important to be sensible and set yourself up to enjoy the experience of making a memory.

I canceled photos on Sunday because it was the best way to make our time together FUN. That’s what this FUNdraiser is all about: Kids having FUN at school, and you having FUN with your family. This kind of rain is just not fun.

If you want to find some beauty in the rain, check this out. These photographers know about rainy day beauty. You could see it too. You just have to be open to it.