Weather reschedules for outdoor photo shoots?

Living in the North East has it's challenges for photographers this time of the year. I have had weddings and recently a bridal photo shoot scheduled for some time, only to have the day of be forecast-ed crummy weather. I'll drive out to location and have to pull the plug because the weather just isn't working out. This has happened twice to me this year so far.

I would like to see when do other photographers "pull the plug" on the shoot? Will you go out even though the weather forecast is showing crummy weather ahead? It's annoying when I have to prep, load up my SUV with all my gear then drive for example 1 hour each way, knowing that weather forecast isn't looking good. Only to get out there and have the sky's open up shortly after getting fully set up.

My dilemma is I feel off by recommending to bride (or client) to cancel. Because what if it doesn't rain, snow, etc.? But my time is valuable, should I charge for my time if weather is bad when I get to shoot and we have to cancel? I know it's not the clients fault, but I'm there for them.

Sticky question?! Please, share your thoughts.

It's about communication and commitment... I hear what you are saying about the expense of bad weather. The bride has time spent as well plus the disappointment of not getting the shoot done and out of the way for her busy wedding schedule. Perhaps a call the night before telling her your concerns about the weather would allow you both the cancel or postpone the meeting until after the skies have cleared.

Oh I have, every time weather looks bad and I have a outdoor shoot. I always call day before voicing my concerns. And every time, the client insists "the weather people are always wrong". So far every time this has happened, the weather people were right!

I've been putting some thought into charging the client for reschedules IF I call them day before and voice my concerns regarding outdoor shoot. Let me clarify, if I warn them and recommend a reschedule and they reschedule there will be no charge. If I recommend reschedule based on weather forecast and they don't take my recommendations and I get to location and the weather is bad and we have to reschedule, I'm thinking about charging them for my time that day.

Thoughts?

Why not do the photos indoors, find a nice venue where you can achieve some nice classy shots it doesnt always have to be outdoors.

I've done most of my shoots the day of the wedding and indoors at the church if the weather is crummy, I do shoots in ice rinks as well as bars and restaurants party rooms if they have some character. I've also done shoots in a brides living room a couple of times when it snowed

photobod wrote: Why not do the photos indoors, find a nice venue where you can achieve some nice classy shots it doesnt always have to be outdoors.

In these cases it's not my choice. If the client wants outdoor photos, that's what they will get. Assuming the weather works out!

JHoward wrote:

photobod wrote: Why not do the photos indoors, find a nice venue where you can achieve some nice classy shots it doesnt always have to be outdoors.

In these cases it's not my choice. If the client wants outdoor photos, that's what they will get. Assuming the weather works out!

In that case its the clients responsibility to cancel and pay your costs and this should be stated in your contract, never give a client the chance to give you the run around as if you do they will sieze the opportunity, so if when you get there and its raining and your contract states that "in the case of bad weather the shoot will take place inside" if they refuse then you can charge them the extra costs for a reshoot, lets face it if it was an actual wedding day would the bride and groom be able to say to all the suppliers "lets not do it today come back when its sunny" I can see the reaction right now and it would be the B&G doing the running, "away".

I have to agree with Photobod. It should be clearly defined in your contract regarding outdoor shoots and bad weather. I'm sure the bride-to-be would love an outdoor shoot. But if they live in the Northeast and want it done this time of year there is always the chance for inclement weather. You can be a nice guy and give her a break on the charge for the day or make arrangements for a nice indoor venue. Either way it should be defined in your agreement.

my camera and wet weather DO NOT mix together , ever!

I think most folks are pretty understanding. I do try to discuss potential weather issues ahead of time. Once I had a guy blow up at me because I wanted to reschedule a family portrait session. It hadn't started raining yet, but the skies were really dark and it was very windy. The rain did come down shortly after.

I let people know early on that I can't shoot in the rain, I'm not willing to Photoshop wind blown hair in every single photo, and I can't Photoshop out the look of discomfort cause by the subject being too hot or cold. I do not have a studio location, and thus we have to consider the weather. I try to keep my eye on the long range forecast, and contact the client a day or two ahead if I think it looks like there could be trouble.

It might be a different issue if we wanted to use inclement weather in the shoot, but most folks who hire me for portrait sessions are looking for nice photos to share with family and friends, and that's not them running in the rain or sledding.

For weddings I always plan ahead for an alternate indoor location in case of bad weather. Usually that's a little different because the couple has already reserved both a ceremony and reception location. If someone wanted to rent an indoor location for a portrait shoot I'd be fine with that.

Henry Peach wrote: I think most folks are pretty understanding. I do try to discuss potential weather issues ahead of time. Once I had a guy blow up at me because I wanted to reschedule a family portrait session. It hadn't started raining yet, but the skies were really dark and it was very windy. The rain did come down shortly after.

I let people know early on that I can't shoot in the rain, I'm not willing to Photoshop wind blown hair in every single photo, and I can't Photoshop out the look of discomfort cause by the subject being too hot or cold. I do not have a studio location, and thus we have to consider the weather. I try to keep my eye on the long range forecast, and contact the client a day or two ahead if I think it looks like there could be trouble.

It might be a different issue if we wanted to use inclement weather in the shoot, but most folks who hire me for portrait sessions are looking for nice photos to share with family and friends, and that's not them running in the rain or sledding.

For weddings I always plan ahead for an alternate indoor location in case of bad weather. Usually that's a little different because the couple has already reserved both a ceremony and reception location. If someone wanted to rent an indoor location for a portrait shoot I'd be fine with that.

It depends on the client and conditions. But I won't ever shoot in the rain.