One thing you can be sure about in this country (England) is that you can’t be sure about the weather !
You can be mincing along Great Portland Street on a hot sunny day in your flip flops, skinny, iced, mocha, Frappuccino with extra chilli sauce in one hand and in the other, a push button, instant quick reaction self erecting umbrella. You know that by the time you get to the end of the road, there is a strong possibility of a sudden downpour to just ruin your newly acquired crop top from H&M. Hurrah for the £5 umbrella that came as part of the deal !
I’m sorry for putting that image in your head, but I am not sorry for you to put one of my images on your wall after I have persuaded you and your family to venture out on a rainy Saturday morning. The reason I say this is that some of my favourite images have been taken on a dull, wet day. Just remember that old saying “ there’s no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothes”.
I like to turn the negative into a positive by getting the kids into their wellies, bright primary coloured raincoats and colourful umbrellas (not the fore mentioned cheap bargain one) and let them splash and run around in the puddles. This looks great in both an urban environment, wet pavements and steps, or in a field against the vibrant green backdrop given free by Mother Nature. (48)
This in mind, please think about some great locations outdoors that can be used even if it is raining.
Leadenhall Market, in the City Of London, is undercover as has some beautiful shops and cobbled streets (It has been used in a Harry Potter Movie if you need to persuade your younger ones to venture outside). This is also a stones throw away from St Dunstans In The East, a beautiful derelict church, providing a contrasting backdrop from the modern City buildings right next door ! If the weather picks up, you can walk to one of my favourite land marks in the world, Tower Bridge.
Do not get me wrong, I am not insisting we go out in a torrential downpour, but please be encouraged by the fact that we, as professional photographers, can perform miracles. When it comes to photographing indoors, even if you have just moved in and your house is looking like a building site, we can get beautiful images in a very small space. A plain wall is a great opportunity for us. Also do not forget that we also have a lovely studio space in Great Portland Street.
There are many more locations that can be used in and around London in the rain, bearing in mind that some will require a filming permit, but please don’t be put off by the weather, we can “ride this storm together”.