Since couple of weeks, I am preparing for a new project: an upcoming photoshoot that will take place under artificial rain.
At first, it sounded simple.
Stand in the rain.
Look at the camera.
Take the picture.
In reality, it is anything but simple.
Water changes everything.
It changes the way your hair moves.
The way your clothes behave.
The way light reflects on your face.
Even the smallest facial expression becomes more noticeable.
Your instinct is to blink.
To tighten your eyes.
To react naturally the moment water hits your face.
But in front of the camera, “natural” isn’t always what creates the strongest image.
Learning how to remain relaxed while water is constantly falling over your face requires practice, concentration and body awareness.
Every detail matters.
Where you look.
How you breathe.
How you move.
How you hold an expression just a fraction longer than feels natural.
One thing I discovered almost immediately?
Water has absolutely no respect for timing.
The moment you think you’ve found the perfect expression… a stream of water lands directly in your eye.
Your first instinct is to blink.
Or laugh.
Or wipe your face.
Unfortunately, none of those reactions are particularly helpful when the photographer is pressing the shutter.
Then there’s the hair.
In your imagination, wet hair falls beautifully and creates that dramatic cinematic effect.
In reality, it occasionally decides to stick to your face, cover one eye, or go in a completely different direction than you imagined.
Apparently, wet hair has its own personality.
Another unexpected challenge is simply keeping your eyes open.
Not because you’re tired.
Because sometimes, for a split second, you genuinely can’t see anything.
And somehow, that’s exactly the moment you’re supposed to look calm, confident and completely effortless.
I’ve even caught myself concentrating so much on my facial expression that I forgot to breathe normally.
Who knew standing in the rain could become a surprisingly technical workout?
That’s probably what I enjoy most about experiences like this.
Every new project reminds me that there is always something new to learn.
Whether I’m riding a Grand Prix horse, recording a podcast, working with motorcycles or preparing for a fashion editorial, I genuinely enjoy becoming a beginner again.
Every new environment teaches you something different.
Not only about the work itself, but also about yourself.
The actual photoshoot is still ahead, and I can’t wait to share both the final images and some genuine behind-the-scenes moments from the experience.
Because if the final photographs make everything look effortless…
…there’s a good chance that, just a few seconds earlier, I was trying very hard not to laugh while rainwater was running straight into my eyes.
Silvia
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