Group Photo Suggestions...

[nmsnapshots]

Today sometime between 10am and noon I have to shoot a group of about 100 people. The venue is at a nice hotel here in Albuquerque.

It seems the best vantage point so everyone is captured is from the roof of the patio overlooking the courtyard.

Unfortunately it puts the sun at a bad angle behind the people.

Does anyone have any tips for shooting in that kind of environment?

Thanks!

 

[Big Mike]

Getting above them, is often the best way to shoot such a large group. The alternative would be to arrange them in rows, on a large staircase. The important part being that you can clearly see everyone's face.

As for lighting, it may not be idea to have the sun behind the people, but at least that should keep them from squinting. It might work, if you can set your exposure for their faces, although that might give you some blown out highlights.
Ideally, an overcast sky would give you nice soft/even light.