Rain, Rain, Go Away: What If It Rains on My Session Day?

Maybe Willie Nelson said it best when he sang, “Well, it’s cloudy in the morning, gonna be raining in the afternoon… If you don’t like this rainy weather you better pack your bags and move.”

I recently learned that Pittsburgh averages a total of 203 cloudy days each year and that western Pennsylvania is significantly cloudier than the eastern side of the state, according to the National Weather Service. Pair that with the unpredictability of Pittsburgh weather in how quickly the forecast can fluctuate and it seems like ol’ Willie may be on to something here…

Rain, right? It’s kind of like the “accidents” your pup leaves after a zoomie-filled walk in the rain (although those are best tackled with a good enzymatic cleaner, not my lens). I’m talking about the real downpours, the kind that may threaten to dampen (pun intended) your dog’s special day, but at Bark & Gold Photography, I’m more than your dog’s personal pawparazzi—​I’m practically a rain wrangler! (OK, maybe more like a cautious observer with an unhealthy obsession with weather apps.)

Don’t Fear the Forecast

While we will always try our best to hold your session at our agreed-upon time, Mother Nature’s a fickle beast, and sometimes she throws a monsoon our way. If the weather takes a nosedive around your session time, we’ll absolutely reschedule. Since I only take a limited number of sessions each month and rain dates are already built into my schedule like sprinkles on a cupcake, you won’t lose your spot just because the sky decides to cry.

As your session date approaches, I am closely watching the weather. I’m talking days and hours up until your session. One of my favorite down-to-the-minute apps for weather tracking is MyRadar, which is one of the most accurate weather apps I’ve found—​and trust me, I’ve downloaded ’em all! (Yep, go ahead and add self-taught meteorologist to my skill set.) With this app, I can monitor when the rain’s coming, how long it’ll last, and whether it’s just a passing sprinkle or a downpour worthy of Noah’s Ark, allowing me to make adjustments to our schedule as needed. Unless there is like, a 90% chance that the day will be a total soaker, in which case you’ll hear from me early that morning or the evening prior, I typically reach out to confirm we’re moving ahead or rescheduling roughly two hours before your session. That’s because, with Pittsburgh weather especially, sometimes it’s all bark and no bite. A 60% chance of rain doesn’t always mean a complete washout. Sometimes, the sun peeks through, leaving backlit dramatic clouds and vibrant sunsets in its wake. That’s why I prefer to ride it out as long as possible before making the final call.

Embracing Flexibility When Life (and Weather) Throw Curveballs

If your session falls on a potentially rainy afternoon, consider leaving your afternoon free. We may need to do a quick rain dance and scoot our session time up an hour to outrun the rain or capture that perfect pre-dusk lighting. Plus, some locations (think: heavily wooded areas and valleys) turn into light-sucking monsters when it’s cloudy. Bumping the start time by a simple one or two-hour shift can make all the difference. See? I’ve got you covered with a flexible schedule and, well, maybe an umbrella if needed.

Weather is just one of those factors that, unfortunately, falls completely out of our control. That said, you’ll feel better about a little wet weather if you keep the following tips in mind:

• Be flexible by leaving most of your session day open just in case we can adjust our start time to avoid the rain.
• Have your phone handy throughout the day your session is scheduled so that if I need to reach out with alternative arrangements, you don’t miss me.
• Embrace “maybe” with a flexible attitude. Rain or shine, the day can still unfold beautifully. The sun just may surprise us with a dramatic exit, leaving behind fiery clouds that will make your dog’s portraits truly stunning!
• Throw in an umbrella (more for your sake), a quick-drying towel, and maybe even a raincoat or hat for some extra photo flair. Bonus points for matching your dog.
• Relax. Seriously. My eyes are practically glued to the radar, stalking the weather like a cat stalks a dangling feather toy.

While we can’t exactly control the weather…unless you have a secret cloud-wrangling hotline I’m not aware of, we can easily navigate it like seasoned adventurers. With a little flexibility on your part and my questionable rain dance skills (don’t judge, they’re surprisingly effective), we’ll capture those beautiful portraits of your dog regardless of the weather. So, don’t let a sprinkle or two send you running for cover (except, on the off chance, your pup is sporting a tiny raincoat that’s more adorable than functional, in which case, you may want to postpone). Oftentimes, a touch of rain can add a touch of magic, transforming ordinary pet portraits into glistening, light-dappled masterpieces.