A Rainy Day in Paradise: Lana + Dean

Lana and Dean traveled to Jamaica all the way from Ireland to celebrate Lana’s 30th birthday. When we met, their trip had nearly come to a close. Even still, they jumped at the chance to commemorate their visit in stunning color.

When the day came, the weather was not in our favor. Before noon, the skies grew dark and the wind picked up significantly. The edge of the sea appeared much closer then normal – a sure sign that a big storm was already in the midst of rolling in 🌧️

Never to be deterred, I quickly grabbed my gear and rushed over to their hotel. We were originally scheduled for a mid-afternoon shoot, but because of the weather, I showed up 3 hours early in the hopes that they were available before the storm hit. It was a long shot, and I certainly didn’t want to interrupt their vacation!

I ran into Dean by the sea. We both looked at the sky and chuckled. I told him that if he and Lana were up for it, I would be more than happy to move forward with our shoot and do it early. Stormy weather always makes for great, moody photos. I laughed saying, “We’ll have a built-in wind machine!” He checked in with Lana, and came back with the good news: “We’re in.” 🙂‍↕️

While walking towards our first location, a beautiful scenic spot filled with the sea-beaten rocks that are characteristic of this part of Jamaica, Lana nervously shared that she and Dean had never done a photoshoot together. And, she was always shy and uncomfortable in front of cameras.

Nervous, or absolute naturals?!

This isn’t the first time a client shared that exact sentiment with me. In general, I find people are quite nervous and uncertain when they first step in front of the camera.

One of the main beliefs that drove my passion for photography is everyone deserves incredible images of themselves. Too many people feel that they can’t be photographed because of nerves, or they “don’t know” how to pose, or their face often reads “angry, cold, etc.” I’ve heard it all.

Here’s the thing – with the right photographer, all of that melts away. Beyond snapping gorgeous images, my job is to guide people through poses, my creative vision, and into their confidence. You aren’t doing this alone! I’ll be your cheerleader, your mirror, and your encouragement ✨

After I shared this with Lana, she visibly relaxed and smiled at Dean. We were ready to go!

When shooting in weather, it’s absolutely critical to be strategic in planning your shooting schedule. As the storm rolled in, I wanted to prioritize keeping Lana and Dean as comfortable and dry as I could. I’m not sure how anyone could be present in their loving connection when they’re wet and freezing! 🥶

To do this, we took our first photos in the calmest location. The water was still, and there was very little rain falling. I started them on the rocks to capitalize on their dramatic additions to the scene, give the couple something to pose with besides each other in a physical sense, and keep them dry.

By keeping our scene on the simpler side, “simple” meaning maintained with little variability and good consistency, they were able to get into the rhythm of the shoot without compromising their comfort.

After being on the rocks, they stepped into the water. Many of my favorite photos from the day were taken during this part of the shoot, and I still catch myself admiring these stunning photos!

Then, the weather starting to really pick up. The wind was blowing madly, and the rain was coming down harder. It was time for our most extreme location – the splash zone!

We relocated to the edge of the cliffs where massive waves were crashing and creating huge sprays of water. Let me be clear – Lana and Dean enthusiastically wanted to shoot over in these conditions! No clients were pressured or harmed in the shoot 😉

Because of the waves, it became quite hard to hear one another. I shouted to them that they should let me know if the conditions became too extreme and they preferred to step out of the water and into shelter. They both grinned at me and shouted back, “We’re having the time of our life and can’t wait to be soaked by the sea!” There isn’t much more I could hope to hear from my clients!

Within minutes of stepping onto the cliff’s edge, I captured a wide variety of dramatic, romantic photos, as well as some funny candids when a particularly big wave hit. The waves were so intense that at some points, they were literally up to their ankles in water!

Besides the cinematic splash, check out that full foot coverage of sea water!

To close out our shoot, I sat them on a beautiful cliff edge where both the powerful waves and stunning scenic background were featured prominently. At this point, they were both completely soaked! What amazed me was how at ease and relaxed they looked even after shooting in extreme conditions. It was the perfect finale.

It’s always bittersweet to end a photoshoot. We had an amazing time, but it also means goodbye (for now). Lana and Dean left for Ireland the next day and thankfully, all of their clothes dried before hopping on the plane.

Shortly after getting home, Lana left me an incredibly kind, heart-warming review:

I had a wonderful experience being photographed by A. during my holiday with my partner in Jamaica. Although we’re typically shy in front of the camera, A. made us feel at ease and we had a lot of fun. A truly talented photographer with great ideas and a calming presence. Highly recommend!

I look forward to my next extreme weather photoshoot, and hopefully a trip to Ireland soon! If you’re hoping to roll the dice for an extreme photoshoot, shoot me a note and let’s get something on the books! Either way, you’ll be in for a phenomenal photoshoot in paradise 🌴