Wedding locations for rainy days

[linza]

Hi, I'm a Vancouver based photographer and always looking for locations for wedding photos, when it's raining. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Alastair]

Hi Linza,
Vancouver is a tough place to shoot in the rain, especially for weddings. I find at weddings (even on sunny days) there is precious little time to dash off to some stunning locale for photos. *Queen Elizabeth Park on a Saturday is mayhem with all the wedding parties.
That wasn't your question, I know. *I find that most venues in the Lower Mainland have some sort of outside rain protection - either a covered area, covered driveway or the like. *Sometimes that's the best place to shoot. *It's fairly bright, and usually spacious enough for those family photos.
Another option is to bring some studio lights and find a nice staircase (most venues have these, also) or plain location and light a simple scenario.
I find that setting up a background is usually too time-consuming and can be more trouble than its worth.
But, personally, I find the best thing to do in the rain is get some big golf umbrellas and go and shoot outside. *It's impossible to deny the fact that it's raining, so why bother? *The photos can be a lot of fun and they show how the day actually was. *Besides, Vancouver really isn't that rainy - both New York and Seattle get more rain. *It's often just grey or it's previously been raining. *Or it's about to rain. *Very rarely does it rain for the whole day, non-stop. *If the bride has a long dress it might pose some problems, but I guess it really comes down to how adventureous your customers are. *Some of the best stuff I've ever done was at rainy or wet weddings.
*If you bring a light stand with a double super-clamp and an umbrela, you can rig your own rain cover and stay (relatively) dry. *Shoot 400 asa film and just go with it.
I can think of some specific places that have covered areas - the park across from the English Bay Bathhouse has a huge bandstand; Cecil Green House at UBC has a beautiful solarium; as does Brock House. *However all of these venues, save for the bandstand are usually catering their own weddings in the summer and they are unavailable.

Hope this helps,

Alastair

[Jack Simpson]

Linza,

I would suggest plastic bags, elastic bands, hoods and, of course, don't shoot toward the sky. Now, about your camera
gear is another matter entirely.


But, seriously, There is always the VAG, if they allow wedding
photos inside and then there is the (possibilty) of the Law
Courts bldg which can have nice light.

Hope this was somewhat useful.

http://www.canphoto.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Jack