When it rains, it pours! When and how to reschedule your family photoshoot!
Life happens! And sometimes, even with all the best planning in the world, things crop up that mean it might be best to reschedule your photoshoot. If this is the case - don’t worry - I got you! It's super important to me that we have the best chance to get some amazing photos, that you guys are all set to be happy, comfortable, warm and not rushed for time.Whether a family member has fallen ill, or the weather decided not to play ball, I can help navigate the best way forward together. :)
When to consider a reschedule?
Weather
New Zealand weather and it’s forecasts for that matter, are not always the most reliable! Sometimes we can only but do our best to pick a date in advance! If it is almost a sure thing that the weather is for rain, snow or any other extreme weather condition that may make travel or the shoot itself less than ideal, a reschedule is the way to go. Otherwise we can keep in touch the day before, or on the day, and make the best call together. :)
What do we do?
If you know in advance that the weather is almost definitely going to be terrible get in touch with the me via email to arrange a new date with better weather.
I will be sending you out an email reminder the day before your shoot - this is the time when we can really start making calls!
We can create a Plan B wet weather plan. This is a good option if for whatever reason you have to have the shoot on this day, options can include having the shoot indoors at your own home, at an indoors location such as Wintergarden Glasshouse or other indoor venue, or if the family shoot involves 5 or fewer people, opting for an in studio session (coming soon).
On the day we can keep in touch and potentially move the shoot to a different part of the day that is likely to have better weather - sometimes an hour can make all the difference!
If the need arises to change days completely we can work this out together, I can even open up previously unavailable shoot dates and times to make things work for you and your fam! In the warmer months, weekday evening shoots can be a good option, even for working families, as the shoot can be anywhere from 5pm-8pm!
If maybes/waiting does not work for you or your family! Feel free to make the call as early as you need, to reschedule - I assure you this is no inconvenience to me and I am happy to do so. Your time is a valuable resource, and I know how much can go into preparing the family for a photoshoot.
Health
If you or anyone in your family isn't feeling their best, especially the little ones, it's a good idea to reschedule. The best smiles happen when everyone is happy AND healthy. <3
What do we do?
If you know in advance that you or one of your wee ones have fallen unwell get in touch with the me via email to arrange a new date for once they are feeling better. If you do not yet know when this might be, I can put your shoot in hold, and you can get back in touch with me when you are ready. :)
If you or one of your babies has had a rough night or morning of the shoot, please do not feel pressure to go ahead with the shoot that day! Flick me an email as soon as you can, or if something happens a super short notice just give me a buzz!
Maybe not reschedule related, and probably obvious, but also - if for any reason you are running a bit late to a shoot please don’t stress/drive fast! Pull over and flick me a message to let me know you are on your way and drive safe! I usually allow for a bit of wriggle room for shoots, so it is no hassle to wait for you to arrive safe and sound.
Family
When life throws you a curveball like a family emergency, it's definitely not a priority to make your photoshoot – family is everything to me, and if you need to drop everything to be there, do not hesitate to flick me a message and you can get back in touch when things settle.
What do we do?
These things happen, just flick me an email or give me a buzz if you have the chance (whatever is easiest for you at the time), I will pop your shoot on hold, and we can get in touch down the track once things have settled to chat about a new date.
When do we reschedule for?
This is normally a collaborative effort. I will normally give you a few upcoming dates that fit with my availability as something to start from. Sometimes reschedules can be to a different time on the same day, the following day, the next week, or even the next school holidays. As long as it works for us both - that's the priority! :)
We will consider:
Your availability
My availability
Whether it needs to be a weekend, or if we could do a weekday day, or weekday evening
If you would like to stick to the same time, e.g sunset
What the future weather is looking like
How do we know if the weather is okay for a shoot?
Things we like!
Reasonably warm weather, it can still be beanie and scarf weather, but definitely dress appropriately, and let's make sure it's not so cold your lips go blue or you cannot have fun!
Other than the harsh sun around midday - sun is definitely a good thing! We can always find some shade, or face you away from the sun to avoid squinting etc.
Clouds can be our best friend! Particularly for daytime shoots. When it’s overcast or there are some clouds it can cast a super flattering, even, soft light which is perfect for photos!
Things we don’t like!
Toooooo much wind! Some wind can be kinda awesome, particularly for certain shoots. But we want to watch out for if it is too cold, or if it is just going to make the shoot too hard or dangerous!
Lots of fog! While it might be otherwise pretty good weather, too much fog or haze can mean your photoshoot kind of doesn’t have a backdrop!
Rain! A few drops on an otherwise sunny day are definitely manageable, but if it is pouring down definitely not so safe, healthy or fun!
I am absolutely dedicated to providing you with a positive and memorable family photoshoot experience. Life's moments are precious, and I want to ensure that you have the best possible opportunity to capture them. If you ever find yourself needing to reschedule, don't hesitate to reach out – I am here to make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you're ready to start planning your family photoshoot. We can't wait to help you create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.