Ah, Vancouver. The land where you can plan a full-day shoot under a cloudless forecast — and still end up towel-drying a reflector by noon.

This summer, I organized one of my dream shoots. The kind where everything just clicks.
I had the perfect concept, the dream team, a location that looked like it belonged in a glossy west coast campaign, and a forecast that screamed “golden hour magic.”

Reader, it did not go that way.

The Setup: A Masterclass in Overconfidence

Meticulous planning is my love language.
I had a moodboard, a shot list, a backup shot list, and a backup for the backup. The team arrived early, the coffee was strong, the styling was on point — and then, right on cue, the sky decided to audition for a disaster movie.

Rain. Not mist, not drizzle — full cinematic downpour.

The Chaos: Nature’s Creative Direction

Within ten minutes, the location transformed from “coastal chic” to “Noah’s Ark: The Editorial.”

Hair frizzed. Makeup ran. Wardrobe became “soaked-core.”
My assistant tried heroically to hold an umbrella over the camera — which, in hindsight, was adorable but futile.

We took shelter under the hairstylists car's hatchback door, watching the rain mock us. Someone suggested we pivot the concept to “emotional water goddess.” Someone else handed out snacks. I started mentally rewriting the shot list for Plan C (Plan B was already floating away).

The Pivot: Finding the Shot Anyway

Then something shifted.
We decided we were not going to be bested by the downpour, Grabbing the storage tarp for cover we headed back to the location.  The soft light caught the details of the sweater's cable knit perfectly.  Even the models’ hair looked editorially intentional.

We shot fast. No overthinking. No perfectionism. Just instinct, laughter, and soggy shoes.

And honestly? Those photos ended up being some of my favourites of the year.

The Moral of the Story

You can plan every frame, but sometimes the magic happens between your schedule and the storm.

Clean photography might be my signature, but adaptability is the real skill.

And as any Vancouver photographer will tell you — if you can make it look effortless in the rain, you’ve earned your stripes.

The Takeaway

Next time you’re planning a brand shoot in Vancouver, remember:

Always pack extra towels.

Hydrate (yourself and your camera gear).

Leave space for the unexpected — sometimes it’s better than what you planned.

Because at the end of the day, beautiful imagery isn’t about perfect weather — it’s about perfect timing, and a team that knows how to dance in the rain.


Looking for a Vancouver fashion photographer who can keep calm and creative — even when the sky has other plans?
Let’s make magic (rain or shine) →