Outdoor portraits - flash or long lens?

[gwc1023]

I'm getting ready to do my own kids' fall portraits, and have a few friends as well who have asked me to take photos of their kids now that it's fall and all the beautiful leaves are out. ;) I'm having a bit of an argument with myself what would be better - use the 50mm and use flash to light up their eyes, or use my 70-200 and not have to be so 'in their face' - thinking I'll have an easier time getting natural expressions when they don't feel the camera so close to them.

Thoughts?

[midnight_rider]

A flash can make all the difference. If you are indoors bounce the flash off the ceiling for a nice effect. Remember if you bounce the flash off of a surface that is not white that color will show on your subject.
Personally I think 50mm at f/4 makes for a great portrait setup.

[mamabravo]

i shot these last year i used my 430ex

and l found it helped

[Tigershark]

I shoot most of mine with a 70-200 2.8 and my 580

[canonnoob]

you should be fine with the 50 +flash... light easy to manage...