Outdoor Portraits

[frangipani]

I have had a request to do some Family Portraits, in an outdoor garden setting. I currently use a Canon 400d. Any tips or tricks you can give me? Recommendations on Lens' or other gear I should use??

Cheers

 

[mrpink]

What is your current skill level? What gear do you have currently available to you? Are you willing to purchase more gear? This is a start on questions you need to answer.

 

[mwcfarms]

Why does everyone ask what gear they should be using when someone asks for them to do pictures. If you don't know what gear to use then you shouldn't do it. Simple as that. Tips and tricks? Well depending on the size of the family you might want to look at posing, scout out your locations and time of day position of the sun and what the lighting will look like. I honestly hope your doing this pro bono.

 

[frangipani]

Skill level - Average I would say? I don't have much gear, just simple stuff - tripod, 35mm lens, 400d camera. But yes I am wanting to purchase more

 

[frangipani]

Why does everyone ask what gear they should be using when someone asks for them to do pictures. If you don't know what gear to use then you shouldn't do it. Simple as that. Tips and tricks? Well depending on the size of the family you might want to look at posing, scout out your locations and time of day position of the sun and what the lighting will look like. I honestly hope your doing this pro bono.

Well, obviously. It's for family friends. Need to start building your portfolio somehow.

 

[mwcfarms]

Lol you would be surprised at how not obvious it can be here. Sorry didn't mean to sound alah #itchy. My other recommendations still stand.

 

[frangipani]

Lol you would be surprised at how not obvious it can be here. Sorry didn't mean to sound alah #itchy. My other recommendations still stand.

haha, fair enough. Thanks

 

[photo guy]

Take some photos of the garden area ahead of time and also start to plan how you would like everyone to sit or stand for the photos as well as the time that would be best for the photos

 

[mwcfarms]

I should have also added that I like to use a lot of backlighting in my outdoor sessions and then filling with flash off camera with an umbrella to diffuse it. I also will bring a reflector and arm or assistant sometimes. I find fill flash quicker though. I try to shoot at a time of day when the light isn't directly overhead and I prefer afternoon light to morning light for family portraits.