Yesterday was one of the most challenging photo shoots that I've ever done, and yet it turned out to be quite fun in spite of the adverse conditions. I met up with one of my favorite families, the Parodi family, to shoot some updated family pics on the beach for Christmas photos. But when I arrived at the park at Clearwater Beach, the rain was just starting. Over the next two hours, I have no idea how much it rained, but it never stopped, and just kept getting more intense until this fun family showed up. Then it was ON - complete downpour and less than 30 minutes of daylight left.

But we were not to be denied! We decided to go for it, whatever that meant. I had to be careful with my equipment, because I know what it's like to ruin gear in the rain. But we all wanted to have some fun in the rain, so I held an umbrella over my head with one hand, and my camera in the other. Then we all took off running toward the beach. The kids were in a watery dreamland, and we adults were quite enjoying reverting to our childhood days as well, as we proceeded to get soaked and giggled almost uncontrollably over the intensity and longevity of this ill-timed downpour.

Needless to say, this shoot was literally a wash-out, and yet we still didn't go home empty-handed. We will always have the memories from this day, and I know that years down the road we'll be laughing together at the first try of the 2008 Parodi family photos.

Thank you, Parodis, for being such a neat family, and for giving me the chance to be a kid again with you all!...

Here are a few of the shots that stayed dry (no drops on the lens or in people's faces)....