Why rain can make your family photos even more special!


When you picture your family photoshoot in Queenstown, you might be imagining blue skies, sunshine and those spectacular snow-capped mountains that make this part of New Zealand so incredible.


But what happens when it rains?


Well, you embrace it! ☔️


And that is exactly what Laura and her wonderful family did during their recent Moke Lake family photoshoot.


The rain arrived before we even started and continued throughout the entire session. But rather than letting the weather take over, we decided to simply make the most of it, and I think the photographs show exactly why you don't always need perfect weather for beautiful family photos.

Two happy children pose by a misty mountain lake, girl in pink raincoat and boy in dark jacket smiling outdoors.
Family with umbrellas enjoying a rainy day in a scenic mountain valley, parents smiling as child runs toward them.

Embracing the rain at Moke Lake


Moke Lake is one of my favourite locations for family photography near Queenstown. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural scenery, it has so much to offer for a relaxed, outdoor family photoshoot.


On a sunny day, Moke Lake has that classic Queenstown look that you might expect. But there is something really beautiful about seeing it in the rain too.


The colours become rich and moody, the mountains can disappear into the clouds, and everything feels a little quieter and more atmospheric.


For Laura's family session, though, we weren't too concerned about creating perfectly posed photographs against the scenery.


Instead, we let the children run.


They chased the ducks.


They chased each other.


They splashed around in the rain.


And there were plenty of huge, genuine smiles along the way.


Those are the moments I love capturing most during a family photoshoot.

Two children laugh and run through a mountain meadow while their family follows behind on a cloudy day.
A joyful toddler girl with pigtails smiles broadly, wearing a white knit sweater outdoors.
Happy young girl in pink rain jacket making peace sign near mountain lake on overcast day.
A laughing young boy wearing a black North Face jacket over a white fleece outdoors.
Family joyfully running through a scenic mountain valley with misty peaks and golden grasslands in the background.

You don't need perfect weather for beautiful family photos


I completely understand why rain can initially feel disappointing when you've been looking forward to your photoshoot.


You've probably imagined what you're going to wear, thought about the beautiful Queenstown scenery and pictured your children running around in the sunshine.


But the reality is that perfect weather doesn't necessarily create the best photographs.


Some of my favourite family photographs are created when children are allowed to forget they're having their photos taken.


When they're running, playing, laughing, exploring and being themselves.

And sometimes, a little rain gives us even more reason to do exactly that.


Rather than trying to keep everyone clean and perfectly posed, we can embrace the weather and turn it into part of the story.

A woman playfully holds a laughing child upside down in a scenic mountain field on an overcast day.
Family of four posing together in a misty mountain meadow during autumn, smiling warmly in casual outdoor attire.
A parent and child playfully dancing in a misty mountain landscape during autumn, wearing warm winter clothing.
A cheerful toddler girl in a white sweater and blue pants runs along a lakeside with mountains in the background.
A joyful young girl in a pink jacket runs through a field with mountains and a lake in the background.

A natural and relaxed approach to family photography


My approach to Queenstown family photography is very natural and relaxed. I don't want your session to feel like an hour of asking everyone to stand still and smile at the camera.

Instead, I want your family to spend time together.


We'll walk, explore, play games, run around and have fun. I'll guide you when needed, but I'll also give you plenty of space to simply interact with one another.


For younger children especially, this can make such a difference.


Rather than asking them to sit still for photographs, we can let them be curious, energetic and playful. And while they're busy having fun, I'm there to capture all those little moments of connection, the laughs, the cuddles, the cheeky expressions and the moments you might otherwise forget.


That is what makes your photographs feel like your family.

A smiling toddler girl held by a woman in a green sweater with misty mountains in the background.
Smiling boy holding a clear umbrella in the rain near a lake, wearing a black jacket and cream sweater.
A smiling man in a red beanie and gray coat poses with a young girl in a pink jacket near a misty lake.
A happy toddler girl in a white sweater and blue pants runs near a scenic mountain lake on a cloudy day.
Family of seven holding hands running through misty mountain landscape on overcast day.

Rainy Moke Lake family photos


Looking back at these Moke Lake family photos, I honestly wouldn't change the weather.

The rain gave us something different.


There is something wonderfully joyful about seeing children completely embrace a rainy day, running around with huge smiles, chasing ducks and each other, and simply enjoying being outside.


And perhaps that's a good reminder for all of us.


Your family doesn't need perfect conditions to have a brilliant time together. Sometimes the unexpected moments become the ones you remember most.


So if you're planning a family photoshoot in Queenstown and the forecast isn't looking exactly how you hoped, don't automatically assume your session won't be beautiful.


If it's safe to shoot and the conditions are manageable, we can often work with the weather rather than against it.


Because sometimes the rain isn't something that needs to be avoided.


Sometimes, it's part of the magic. ☔️🤍

Smiling young girl in pink raincoat holding a clear umbrella outdoors in the rain.
A smiling toddler girl held by a woman in a green sweater with misty mountains in the background.
A woman playfully holds a laughing child upside down in a grassy field with mountains in the background.

Looking for a Queenstown family photographer?


If you're visiting Queenstown and looking for a natural family photographer in Queenstown, I'd love to capture your family while you're here.


Whether you're looking for a Moke Lake family photoshoot, a family session at Jacks Point, Homestead Bay or another beautiful Queenstown location, my sessions are all about capturing genuine connection, movement and the moments that make your family unique.


And yes, rainy days are welcome too! ☔️

Multi-generational family waving and smiling by a mountain lake on a cloudy day in a scenic outdoor setting.
Family running and laughing in a misty mountain valley with snow-capped peaks and golden grasslands.
A joyful girl in a pink jacket runs outdoors with a smiling man in a green jacket, set against misty mountains.