Can you recall a moment during a shoot when something unexpected happened, and it led to a better outcome than you had planned?

I was photographing a camping pillow in one of the beautiful parks of Calgary. This was early morning as the model for this project had other commitments. During winters, the sun rises as late as 8.30 am. It was supposed to be cloudy so I was not expecting a clear sunrise and we only had cloudy mixed lighting. All of a sudden, during one of the shots, the clouds disappeared and the sunrise came in the background. This resulted in an amazing shot where the sun rays were filtering through the model's hair. 

Absolutely! One time, I was shooting product photos outdoors for a brand during the golden hour. Halfway through, unexpected rain clouds rolled in, bringing a soft drizzle. Initially, I thought this might ruin the shoot, but the overcast lighting created an incredibly soft and moody atmosphere, which enhanced the textures of the product and added a natural, dynamic element to the images. The light reflections on the wet surfaces brought out details we hadn’t anticipated, and the client loved the authenticity of the final shots. It was a perfect example of turning an unplanned situation into a creative opportunity.

Yes, I’ve had a few moments like that. One that stands out is a recent pet product shoot where I was photographing a water bowl with a family and their pets. Getting the perfect shots was challenging, especially with the kids and pets moving around. But then, one of the dogs started playfully splashing water everywhere, and the kids joined in. Instead of stopping to reset, I kept shooting, capturing the genuine laughter and playful interaction.

Those spontaneous, candid moments added a touch of authenticity and joy to the final shots, making the photos much more engaging and lively than the original, more controlled plan. Sometimes, letting things unfold naturally brings out the real magic!