A quaint Valletta restaurant saved the day for top London-based photographer shooting a fashion story in Malta, when a prolonged spell of heavy rain just would not stop.

Rebecca Miller’s works have graced the pages of Vogue, The Telegraph, the UK Independent on Sunday, Sunday Times of London Style magazine and InStyle magazine.

“I have never seen rain like that in Malta before. After we finished our first shot, the rain came down and never stopped all day long,” the 31-year-old said.

The fashion team tried to wait it out in a café but after their third cappuccino it was clear the rain was not going to let up so they had to find an indoor space to shoot in. Upon a recommendation, they moved to Luciano’s Restaurant and guest house in Valletta.

“Sometimes a change of plan is a good thing; you have to leave room for surprises,” said Ms Miller.

She discovered the island five years ago thanks to her boyfriend who is half Maltese. “Malta is so beautiful,” she said, adding that she frequently travelled to the island for holidays.

Ms Miller, who is originally from northern California, has been based in London for the past eight years.

Before the weather called for a change in plans, she originally wanted to use the area around Victoria Gate in Valletta for her shoot location. “I stumbled on the area by accident and completely fell in love. I love the bridges and all the stairs. I also liked how close the area is to the water.”

She made use of Maltese modelling agency models.com.mt, run by Carina Camilleri who organised the casting and styling of the shoot.

Ms Miller was very much impressed by the local model, Chanelle, cast for her shoot. “Aside from being strikingly beautiful, she didn’t complain once when she was standing outside wearing a miniskirt and platform heels in the storm. That kind of attitude will take you very far,” she said.

Photos of the shoot will be submitted to cutting edge magazines Bambi and Noise.