It's easy to let weather make you think you can't go outside to shoot. I'll be the first to admit I'm a fair weather photographer, but when I look at my portfolio, I realize that I often go out to shoot because of less than ideal weather. Perspective changes everything about photography.

Since my birthday falls late in May, springtime weather is often too unpredictable to plan an outdoor event to celebrate. One thing I do enjoy, is taking a stroll with my camera through the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Even if it rains, there are many opportunities to get some photos both indoors and out.

What do you do when the skies are gray and it looks like rain?

• Head to a garden where floral colors pop much brighter under gray skies.
• Take rain protection for you and your camera.
• Take advantage of breaks between sprinkles to catch photos with newly fallen raindrops.
• Look for indoor exhibits or covered areas that may be hiding photographic opportunities.
• Watch for subjects that are much closer to you, in some cases right in front of you so that you can provide some shelter from rain sprinkles while you shoot a few frames.
• Enjoy the fun of shooting and trying to find great shots now that you're out. 
• Don't strive for perfection in every shot. If rain is off and on, shoot when you can keep your camera dry and have fun.