The Storm Was Coming
This family session at the Ogden LDS Temple was CRAZY.
I drove to Ogden and could already see a storm rolling in. I’ll be honest—it made me a little nervous. But when we started the session, the light was absolutely incredible.
So we went for it.
The sky was dramatic, the light was beautiful, and everything was looking perfect. I already tend to move through family sessions pretty quickly, but when I felt the first little raindrop, I decided to pick up the pace even more.
And then, out of nowhere, it went from a little rain to BAD BAD.
Lightning, Rain and a Monsoon
Suddenly we had lightning, pouring rain and what felt like a full-on monsoon.
This wasn’t just a few drops that we could ignore.
We quickly finished the last few photos we needed and then everyone made a run for cover under the temple.
And we stayed there.
For at least 20 minutes.
Drenched.
Head to toe.
It was one of those moments where you just have to laugh because there isn’t really anything else to do. We were all huddled together under the temple waiting for the storm to pass, completely soaked after thinking we were just going to take some family pictures.
But somehow, we still got beautiful photos.
Family Photos + Missionary Photos
This session was also a combination of family photos and a mission session, which made getting the important images finished before the storm even more important.
When a session includes a missionary or another time-sensitive milestone, I want to make sure we prioritize those must-have images early.
That way, if the weather changes suddenly—or life just gets chaotic—we’ve already documented the things that matter most.
And that’s exactly what helped us here.
We didn’t get the leisurely session we expected, but we got what we needed before the storm completely took over.
What Happens If It Rains During Your Family Photos?
Utah weather can change FAST, especially during the summer storm season.
If you see clouds rolling in before your session, don’t automatically assume we need to cancel. Sometimes the most beautiful light happens right before a storm.
That’s what happened for us at the Ogden LDS Temple.
The key is having a photographer who is paying attention to the weather and willing to adjust the plan.
We can move faster when we need to. We can prioritize certain groupings. We can change locations or find cover. And sometimes we simply wait it out and see what happens.
The goal isn’t to force the original plan no matter what.
It’s to make the most of the conditions we’re actually given.
And Yes, We Were Completely Soaked
Looking back, this is definitely going to be one of those sessions I remember.
We went from gorgeous light to lightning and a monsoon in what felt like minutes. Then we all stood together under the Ogden LDS Temple, soaking wet, waiting for the storm to pass.
Not exactly how I pictured family photos that day.
But that’s real life.
And honestly, I kind of love that your photos can hold those real-life stories, too.
If you’re planning family photos at the Ogden LDS Temple, reach out to me, Kylee, and let’s make a plan that gives us beautiful images even when Utah weather has other ideas.
Kylee is the owner and founder of Kylee Ann Studios, where she’s spent more than 15 years building a photography business rooted in creativity, connection, and serving her clients well. She’s a mom, business owner, and photographer who loves making people feel comfortable and capturing the real moments that make their stories unique.
She specializes in commercial and brand photography, family photography, weddings, and more throughout Cache Valley and Northern Utah.
October 25, 2026
Kylee Maughan
