Tips For Capturing Real Estate Photos In The Rain
Shooting real estate photos on a rainy day requires a mix of preparation, adaptability, and creativity. You’re going to want to make sure you’re properly equipped before bringing out your camera in the rain.
In this article I’ll share some tips for capturing real estate photos in the rain that are sure to help you take better images.
Table of Contents
Should You Capture Real Estate Photos On A Rainy Day?
Whether or not you should capture real estate photos on a rainy day depends on a lot of different factors. Namely the weather-proof gear you have, the level of rain, and how much work you’re willing to put in on the editing side of things.
For a much deeper dive into this question, give our article Should You Capture Real Estate Photos In The Rain a read.
Exterior Photography Tips
Maximize Natural Light: Even on overcast rainy days, natural light can be your ally, especially during any period where the rain briefly stops. Do your best to stay flexible with your exterior photos and try to capture them in the moments when there is less rain and more natural light.
Wait For The Perfect Moment: If the rain is a little too heavy for my comfort when I show up to a shoot, I’ll keep my eye out the window and wait for a moment in time when the rain eases up or even stops. If you’re going to be on site for an hour, try to find the perfect moment during that time period and grab the exterior shots then.
Use Rain to Your Advantage: Rain can bring out vibrant colors and textures in your exterior shots. Wet surfaces have more saturation, making colors pop and creating a fresh, clean appearance. Puddles and wet patios can also create interesting reflections that add a unique element to your photos.
Protect Your Equipment: Ensure you have all necessary protective gear for your camera and lens. Invest in a good quality rain cover or make a DIY cover with a clear plastic bag. Keep a microfiber cloth handy to wipe away any moisture or droplets from your lens.
Keep Rain Proof Equipment In Your Car: One easy way to ensure that you’re prepared is to keep an umbrella in your car at all times. It can be a little awkward holding an umbrella and a camera at the same time, but it ensures that you will keep your equipment dry.
Capture Unique Features: If the property has any features that benefit from the rain, such as rain chains, covered porches, or drainage systems, make sure to include these in your shots. They can act as selling points, especially in areas where heavy rain is common.
Interior Photography Tips
Control the Lighting with a Flash: With typically less natural light available on rainy days, use flashes to keep interiors looking bright and welcoming. Use a combination of the property’s ambient lighting and your flash, whether on-camera or off, to fill in dark areas and avoid heavy shadows.
Highlight Cozy Elements: Rainy days are perfect for showcasing the cozy, intimate aspects of a home. Light up the fireplace, showcase the warm glow of lamps, or arrange a reading nook by a window. These elements can make the space feel more inviting, especially when it’s dreary outside.
Manage Reflections and Window Views: Be mindful of windows that may show gray skies or streaked rain drops. Sometimes closing the curtains or blinds partially can help control the view and focus more on the interior. Alternatively, post-production editing can be used to replace the gloomy view with a more neutral or sunny sky.
Emphasize Bright Spaces: Focus on areas of the home that are naturally brighter or painted in light colors. These spaces can look particularly welcoming and spacious on a dark day, providing a contrast to the gloomy weather outside.
Implement Window Replacements: When you move on to the editing process, you can use blue sky replacement techniques out of windows as well. This won’t always be possible, especially if the rain is very heavy, but it’s a great option to make the entire shoot like like it happened on a beautiful day.
Don't Be Afraid To Reschedule
Although this isn’t really a tip, sometimes the best thing you can do is avoid photographing in the rain all together. I commonly reach out to my clients on rainy days and offer them the option to reschedule.
This is great for two reasons:
- It lets your clients know that the weather is going to be a challenge on this shoot and informs them that they need to change their expectations if they want to go forward with the shoot on a rainy day.
- If they do want to reschedule, you’ll have offered them the option to wait a day or two for better images. Either way they will appreciate your effort and communication.
Additional Resources
If you’re just getting started in real estate photography, check out our Beginners Guide. It’s full of helpful articles and tips that will guide you in the right direction as you begin your real estate photography journey.
You can check out our Gear section as well to see reviews and recommendations on the latest real estate photography gear.
If you’re more interested in other resources that can help your real estate photography business, check out our Business Resources page.
