
When families think about booking a session, they often imagine golden light, soft skies, and that warm afternoon glow. But here in Gympie and the Sunshine Coast, the weather doesn’t always play along. Sometimes, instead of sunshine, you get rain.
And that’s something I love. Rainy days don’t worry me at all… in fact, they often become the sessions that stand out the most!
Rain changes the way we experience a moment. It softens the light, deepens the colours, and slows everything down. Kids splash in puddles without hesitation, parents pull each other close under umbrellas, and there’s a certain joy in just letting go of control.
Instead of trying to keep everything neat and perfect, families naturally shift their focus to what matters most: being together, being present, and enjoying the moment as it is.



On this particular day, I had been monitoring the weather closely. Every app said something different: one showing we were going to be in the clear by the time our session was due to start, and another predicting rain during the session. In the end, we decided to go ahead and see what would happen.
The moment we arrived at the location, the skies opened up and the rain didn’t let go for the entire session. Of course, it started clearing the second we reached the cars at the end!
Thankfully, we came prepared with umbrellas, a good attitude, and a willingness to embrace whatever unfolded. Their little boy stomped through the mud, ran around in the rain without a care, threw rocks into the stream, and stopped to pick flowers. His parents laughed as they joined him, embracing the weather just as fully.
We wandered along the water, umbrellas in hand, capturing everything from wet hair clinging to cheeks to muddy hands clutching wildflowers, to the kind of bursts of giggles that only come when children are truly free.
By the end of the session, the umbrellas were cast aside and not one of us cared how wet we were. The gallery that unfolded from that session was full of life, full of presence, and full of the kind of memories that stay with you.



My years living in the UK taught me one thing: if you wait for perfect weather, you’ll be waiting forever. Rain was part of everyday life there, and instead of letting it hold me back, I learned how to embrace it.
Those years shaped how I see beauty in moody skies, reflections in puddles, and the way rain pulls people closer together. That is why as a family photographer in Gympie and on the Sunshine Coast, I never see rain as a problem. I actually love it!
Rain itself doesn’t stop us, but storms do. If there is lightning or extreme weather, we will always reschedule. Your safety and comfort matter most.
Communication is key. I will stay in touch in the days leading up to your session, right up until the day itself, so you are never left wondering what is happening. Sometimes we will shift the timing to dodge the worst of it and if rescheduling is the best option, we will work it out together.
It is never about pushing through. It is about creating an experience that feels fun, safe, and stress-free for your family.



If you are planning a family photoshoot in Gympie or on the Sunshine Coast, a little preparation can make all the difference. Dressing in earthy tones and layers always works beautifully, even when damp, and bringing along a simple umbrella adds both practicality and charm. Comfortable shoes you do not mind getting muddy are a good idea, or you can kick them off and enjoy being barefoot. Spare clothes for the kids (and maybe for you as well) can help the ride home feel more comfortable.
More than anything, come with an open heart. Presence will always matter more than perfection.



Gympie family photography in the rain remind me of something simple but powerful: love doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It doesn’t need blue skies or golden sunsets to shine. Sometimes it is the imperfect perfection, the unpredictability, the way things don’t go to plan, that makes the memory even richer.
The rain has a way of slowing everything down. You stop thinking about what is next, or how you look, and you just… are. You scoop your kids up, you run across puddles, you share an umbrella until it feels easier to throw it aside. And in that space, all that really matters is the way you were together.
If you are in Gympie or the Sunshine Coast and have been putting off booking family photos because you are waiting for the “perfect day”, let this be your reminder: sometimes the imperfect days are the ones you will treasure most.
If you’re ready to stop waiting for the ‘perfect day’, come find me here: Let’s make art of your love 💫
For those who feel deeply and love fiercely,
Rue xo





September 21, 2025
Brand by lady b creative & web by soulspellstudio
2023-2025 Rue McConnell photography - Sunshine Coast and Gympie family photographer
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