What I Learned from Shooting in the Rain

Bison and Blossoms 2025 - Tre Davis

This past weekend, I had the chance to photograph a nature event called Bison and Blossoms, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable shoots I have had. The event

was all about celebrating Arbor Day by planting trees, taking a short nature walk, and finishing with something called a seedball stomp.

The stomp was exactly what it sounds like: clay balls filled with native prairie grass and wildflower seeds that people stomp into the ground. It mimics what bison used to do when these lands were open prairies. My job was to capture it all before the rain rolled in.

As I watched the dark clouds creep closer, I realized this was going to be a learning experience in how to work under pressure and in less-than-ideal conditions. Here are three lessons I learned from shooting in the rain.

1. Slow Down and Stick to the Plan

When the forecast looks bad, panic can sneak in fast. But the best thing I did was slow down and focus on what I needed most:

• Partner tables

• Residents interacting

• The tree planting

• The nature walk

• The seedball stomp

Instead of rushing, I moved with purpose. By knowing what I needed and staying calm, I was able to check off each shot one by one. Slowing down helped me work faster and with more confidence.

2. Know Your Tools

When the weather turns, your equipment can make or break the shoot. I had three tools to work with: my drone, my digital camera, and my iPhone.

The drone went up first while the skies were clear since it cannot get wet. The digital camera handled light rain, but once the drizzle turned steady, I switched to the iPhone. Because it is waterproof, I could keep shooting when everything else had to go back in the bag.

You would be surprised at what kind of images a phone can capture if you use it the right way. Knowing the limits of each tool helped me adapt without losing momentum.

3. Know When to Call It

There came a point when my glasses were fogging up, the rain was steady, and the crowd was soaked. I was about 80 percent done, and I knew it was time to wrap up.

Trying to push through for that “one last shot” would have risked my gear and energy for little reward. Because I had a plan and stuck to it, I could walk away knowing I had what I needed.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, the best lessons come from uncomfortable conditions. This shoot reminded me of a simple truth I learned years ago: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

Have a plan. Know your tools. And know when to stop. That is how you capture something meaningful, even in the rain.