Owlpen Manor, UK

Biblical downpours make for interesting outdoor photoshoots. Sometimes the day is a complete washout and there's nothing to be done but re-schedule. But at Owlpen, the secluded Cotswold home of the Mander family, the torrential rain held off just long enough for me to capture something of the essence of this magical spot. The medieval house at the head of the valley, the re-imagined gardens, the exuberant growth with water, water everywhere - lakes, streams, springs, pools at every turn - all helped to form a series of enticing visual compositions. Even on a soggy Saturday in late September the splendid isolation of the setting shone through the rain. Now and again, it really is worth braving the elements.