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Archive 2013 · How would you approach this family portrait?

Jamesstanley
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · How would you approach this family portrait?

A family of 5 in the neighborhood want to go to a local park and have me as a friend shoot some family portraits. I have done many, mostly for fun. The 2 youngest children do not sit still at all. The mother has requested flash because she likes the look. Ideally 2 umbrellas I would set up but that will not work for the moving kids. I can imagine constantly repositioning and boring them. I was thinking just one flash to keep things simple but I hate on camera flash and 1 flash for a family in my lack of experienced state seems just too casting of shadows. Any advice thanks in advance.

Oct 09, 2013 at 08:34 PM

NoelSal
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · How would you approach this family portrait?

my setup strobe in a 60" softlighter, pick up and move. hope for no wind

Oct 09, 2013 at 09:44 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · How would you approach this family portrait?

Who's in charge of the shoot, the photographer or the subject?

More so, you don't want to do a shoot that you're not comfortable with -- the flashes. This does not sound like it will end well unless you take charge and do what you know.

Oct 09, 2013 at 09:50 PM

Jamesstanley
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · How would you approach this family portrait?

friscoron wrote:
Who's in charge of the shoot, the photographer or the subject?

More so, you don't want to do a shoot that you're not comfortable with -- the flashes. This does not sound like it will end well unless you take charge and do what you know.

I hear ya. It's just for fun, but I am planning for it. I know the mother finds the flash more flattering but I can't imagine setting it all up and then needing to move everything because the kids are bored. I plan to take charge but I want some options.

Oct 09, 2013 at 09:53 PM

Michaelparris
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · How would you approach this family portrait?

When the strobes come out, it is no longer a pro bono shoot.....

If you really want to do it. one strobe in big diffuser. That way it will spread the light around.

If it were me and it was free I would not use flash but find an area where the light is even and wont cast shadows on anyones face, wait for the sun to sink low enough to give you a rim light behind them but off center and spot meter off the face.

Look at Lisa's work some of the best on here and she very rarely (I think she posted one session where she used OCF) uses a flash.

The key is the time of day and even light across everyones face (for no flash that is).

Oct 09, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Steve Wylie
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · How would you approach this family portrait?

First, there's no need for two strobes for a family of five. If I were in this situation, I would place a speed light (or better yet a Qflash or equivalent) on a monopod, mount either a decent size shoot-through umbrella or a small beauty dish if you have one, and radio-trigger it. Then, and most importantly, I'd have someone hold the monopod and be able to move quickly, keeping flash distance (and therefore exposure) consistent no matter what. Then, if they want kids literally on the move, I'd abandon the flash and go for ambient light.

Oct 09, 2013 at 10:43 PM

alohadave
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · How would you approach this family portrait?

Jamesstanley wrote:
Ideally 2 umbrellas I would set up but that will not work for the moving kids. I can imagine constantly repositioning and boring them.

Once you get your lights setup, you shouldn't be constantly tweaking them. Using umbrellas, you should be able to setup and have enough wiggle room that people can move around a bit and not affect your lighting.

Oct 09, 2013 at 10:52 PM

Paulthelefty
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · How would you approach this family portrait?

Steve Wylie wrote:
First, there's no need for two strobes for a family of five. If I were in this situation, I would place a speed light (or better yet a Qflash or equivalent) on a monopod, mount either a decent size shoot-through umbrella or a small beauty dish if you have one, and radio-trigger it. Then, and most importantly, I'd have someone hold the monopod and be able to move quickly, keeping flash distance (and therefore exposure) consistent no matter what. Then, if they want kids literally on the move, I'd abandon the flash and go for ambient light.

Yes, you need a VAL (Voice Activated Lightstand)

Paul

Oct 09, 2013 at 11:14 PM

Lisa_Holloway
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · How would you approach this family portrait?

Firstly, as Ron mentioned, YOU are the one in charge. Two bits of advice to help this go smoothly. Forget the strobes. Do the shoot in the late afternoon. Look for either some open shade or back light them, filtering the back light through bushes/trees/grass/etc. Meter for your skin tones. Try to get them to interact with each other. Have them give each other hugs, kisses, tickling, telling secrets, etc. Get some natural interaction - it will be great. You can do this!

Oct 09, 2013 at 11:20 PM

Jamesstanley
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · How would you approach this family portrait?

Thanks everyone. My wife may become my light stand but I will shoot available light for the most part.

Oct 10, 2013 at 02:48 AM

Jamesstanley
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · How would you approach this family portrait?

Lisa_Holloway wrote:
Firstly, as Ron mentioned, YOU are the one in charge. Two bits of advice to help this go smoothly. Forget the strobes. Do the shoot in the late afternoon. Look for either some open shade or back light them, filtering the back light through bushes/trees/grass/etc. Meter for your skin tones. Try to get them to interact with each other. Have them give each other hugs, kisses, tickling, telling secrets, etc. Get some natural interaction - it will be great. You can do this!

Thanks Lisa I looked at your site great work you do. I often shoot wide open and nail my focus, sometimes I miss. I love subject isolation what can I do to better my shots with a group. I understand keeping the same plane and 1/3-2/3 rule. Normally I put my focus right on the middle most eye, although I have been told to focus on the chest. What do you suggest? I value your insight greatly, thanks in advance.

Oct 10, 2013 at 02:52 AM

nolaguy
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · How would you approach this family portrait?

This
Steve Wylie wrote:
First, there's no need for two strobes for a family of five. If I were in this situation, I would place a speed light (or better yet a Qflash or equivalent) on a monopod, mount either a decent size shoot-through umbrella or a small beauty dish if you have one, and radio-trigger it. Then, and most importantly, I'd have someone hold the monopod and be able to move quickly, keeping flash distance (and therefore exposure) consistent no matter what. Then, if they want kids literally on the move, I'd abandon the flash and go for ambient light.

This
Lisa_Holloway wrote:
Firstly, as Ron mentioned, YOU are the one in charge. Two bits of advice to help this go smoothly. Forget the strobes. Do the shoot in the late afternoon. Look for either some open shade or back light them, filtering the back light through bushes/trees/grass/etc. Meter for your skin tones. Try to get them to interact with each other. Have them give each other hugs, kisses, tickling, telling secrets, etc. Get some natural interaction - it will be great. You can do this!

Or an assistant + a 4x6’ reflector. Sun to their back (45°), reflector adding a bit of fill to their front. If you haven’t tried it, it can be more effective than you might imagine. Have fun and good luck with it.

Chuck

Oct 10, 2013 at 06:19 AM

bbourizk
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · How would you approach this family portrait?

If you want to have some fun and try a few things then use the strobe.
I use a speedlight out side all the time. Love the results it produces.

I don't think you'll need two just one camera right or left and use the sun as a rim light, making sure the sun does not hit their faces.

I think for posed shots this will produce great results.

Oct 10, 2013 at 06:56 AM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · How would you approach this family portrait?

How old are the two youngest?

You will have 3-5 minutes max to get the image. I suggest you go with the mom and scout location and do some test shots without the kiddies.

When the actual shoot comes, have everything set and ready and move fast. At the end of the shoot, you might want to try the "pile on" pose, with the parents lying on the ground and the kids lying on top of them. You'll also shoot from ground level.

Do this if you want to, but remember it's OK to decline. That's one of the luxuries of being an amateur. After changing careers from professional photography, I only shoot what I want. I feel no obligation to anybody. If it interests me, I'll shoot it. If not, I decline. I say "no" far more often than I say "yes". If they are friends, they'll understand. If they get pissed, it's because they want to use you. That's their problem, not yours.

Oct 10, 2013 at 08:04 AM

MazeRunner
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · How would you approach this family portrait?

I'd involve the kids if possible and let one of them (or both if they're old enough) to hold the remote flashes. Then when it's time to take photos of them, they might be more inclined to stay still.

But outdoors, will you really need 2 flashes? And as dmacmillan said, you could pick what you want to shoot.

Oct 10, 2013 at 09:33 AM

jefferies1
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · How would you approach this family portrait?

I find it interesting the mother would know the difference between 100% natural light plus reflector and natural light plus flash as fill or as stronger accent light. As to how to handle it that is up to you. I usually decide how my shoots should be done for best results.

Oct 10, 2013 at 12:46 PM


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