Get Your First Weather Alert in 5 Minutes

PhotoWeather monitors weather conditions 24/7 and alerts you when it’s time to grab your camera. No more obsessive weather app checking or missed golden hours - just perfect timing for perfect shots.

Quick Start (Really, Just 5 Minutes)

1. Create Your Account (30 seconds)

Head to PhotoWeather and sign up. The free plan gives you everything you need to start: 1 location and 3 weather rules. No credit card required.

2. Complete the Guided Setup (2 minutes)

PhotoWeather’s smart onboarding appears automatically:

Add Your Location: Click “Get Started” and search for your favorite photo spot. The system finds locations worldwide and fills in details like elevation and timezone automatically. Name it something memorable - “Sunset Overlook” works better than “Location 1”.

Choose Your First Rule: Pick from proven photography templates:

• Golden Hour Atmosphere - The photographer’s favorite. Catches those magical 20-30 minutes when everything glows gold. Never miss another stunning sunset or sunrise.

• Dense Fog - Advanced atmospheric analysis predicts those mysterious morning fog conditions that turn ordinary landscapes into magic.

• Still Water Reflections - Alerts when wind drops to mirror-calm levels. Perfect for those dreamy lake reflection shots.

• Perfect Portrait Light - Soft, flattering light that makes everyone look their best. No harsh shadows, no squinting.

The onboarding automatically enables your chosen rule for your location.

3. Set Up Notifications (1 minute)

Configure when you want alerts:

• Immediate - Get notified the moment perfect conditions are detected
• Daily digest - Morning summary of the day’s opportunities
• Quiet hours - No notifications during sleep (respects your timezone)

4. Get Your First Alert

PhotoWeather now watches weather forecasts for you. When conditions match your rules, you’ll get a detailed email with timing and exact weather conditions.

How PhotoWeather Rules Transform Your Photography

Think of rules as your personal weather scout, working 24/7 to find perfect conditions. Each rule monitors specific weather patterns and sends alerts only when everything aligns for amazing photos.

Take the “Golden Hour Atmosphere” template - it’s watching for:

• Sun positioned for golden hour lighting (precise astronomical calculations)
• Cloud coverage between 30-70% (enough texture for dramatic skies, not enough to block the light)
• High visibility (crystal clear atmosphere for sharp, vibrant shots)
• Low precipitation probability (dry conditions for comfortable shooting)

What makes PhotoWeather special? These templates aren’t just weather data - they’re photography intelligence. Each one is refined based on what actually produces stunning photographs.

Beyond Templates: Custom Rules That Match Your Vision

Ready to go beyond the basics? PhotoWeather’s visual rule builder lets you create rules as unique as your photography style:

The Process is Simple:

1. Navigate to Rules and click “Create New Rule”
2. Choose “Custom Builder” for full control
3. Use the intuitive visual interface to combine conditions
4. Add weather parameters, astronomical timing, and logical operators
5. Set precise thresholds and time windows
6. Test your logic and save

Pro Example: “Dramatic Storm Photography”

• Storm intensity: 20-60% (dramatic but safe)
• Cloud drama score: >70% (spectacular cloud formations)
• Wind speed: <20 m/s (manageable conditions)
• Precipitation: 0% (no active rain)
• Evening golden hour timing (best light through storm clouds)

The visual builder shows you exactly what you’re creating. Start simple with 2-3 conditions, then add complexity as you learn what works in your area.

Calendar Integration: Never Double-Book Perfect Light Again

This is where PhotoWeather becomes indispensable for serious photographers. Instead of juggling weather apps and calendar apps, PhotoWeather puts opportunities directly into your existing calendar workflow.

Setup Takes 2 Minutes:

1. Go to the Calendar page in your PhotoWeather dashboard
2. Click “New Subscription” and name your calendar
3. Optionally choose specific locations (or leave empty for all locations)
4. Copy the generated calendar feed URL
5. Subscribe in your calendar app:
   • iPhone/iPad: Calendar → Calendars (at the bottom) → Add → Add Subscription Calendar
   • Mac: Calendar app → File → New Calendar Subscription
   • Google Calendar: Other calendars → Add by URL
   • Outlook: Add Calendar → Subscribe from Web
   • Any calendar app: Works with anything that supports iCal feeds

The Magic Happens Automatically:

• Opportunities appear as calendar events
• Configurable alerts in your calendar app
• Updates automatically as forecasts change

Now when your calendar shows “Golden Hour Photography - Lighthouse Point” at 6:30 PM, you know exactly what conditions to expect and where to be. No more scheduling important meetings during perfect light.

Pro Strategies That Actually Work

Templates are your secret weapon. Don’t overlook them thinking they’re too basic. “Golden Hour Atmosphere” catches subtle atmospheric conditions that even experienced photographers miss when checking weather manually.

Fine-tune based on real results. After a few weeks, you’ll see patterns. Maybe your coastal location needs different wind thresholds than your mountain spot. Adjust accordingly.

Use multiple notification channels. Combine email alerts with calendar integration. Email gets your attention, calendar helps you plan around other commitments.

Ready to Transform Your Photography?

Stop checking weather apps obsessively. Stop missing perfect conditions because you were busy. Stop arriving at locations only to find disappointing light.

PhotoWeather monitors conditions 24/7 so you can focus on what you love - creating amazing photographs.

Your next perfect shot is waiting. Start your free account and never miss it again.