Daddy Daughter Dance

[waijai]

A friend of mine has asked me to take pictures of him and his daughter at a "Daddy Daughter Dance" this coming weekend. I plan on shooting some pics before hand, perhaps at an outdoor location, along with pictures of them at the event. This is my first time shooting something like this, as I normally shoot cars.

My plan so far is to shoot a set number of poses such as:

- Them walking away from camera holding hands
- Them walking towards camera holding hands
- Daughter on his shoulders
- Daughter in foreground, father in background
- Daughter in background, father in foreground
- Headshots of them with heads tilted and touching
- Tickling each other
- Facing each other standing and holding hands
- Father sitting, daughter standing and interacting
- Father kissing daughter on side of face
- Daughter kissing father on side of face
- Father pointing off camera with daughter in arms, her eyes looking off to where he's pointing
- Both sitting with backs touching and arms folded
- Both peeking out from behind an object, one on each side
- Father handing daughter a flower

I think that's a pretty good amount of poses, that might actually leave them and myself pretty tired. I plan on bringing my Canon 40D, 550ex flash, 50mm f/1.8, and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.

My questions:

1. Would it be wise to bring a longer zoom such as a 70-200? I don't have one but may be able to borrow one from a friend.
2. I have a Stofen type diffuser, would that be good to use outdoors? Would I still use it pointed up at a 45 degree angle?
3. What apeture range would be good to keep them both totally in focus?
4. Any other tips would be appreciated

[SuzyView]

Lots of questions. If I was doing this shoot, I would have a light stand with a shoot through white umbrella or soft box for portraits, off camera, so you don't get red eye or glare. I did this last weekend for a wedding. I had the on-board 580 and the 430 on the stand. It worked perfectly. If you can set up the stand on the side and trigger it, the light is diffused much better. The diffuser may be a good idea. Just practice beforehand. Sometimes, a diffuser only makes your flash work harder. If there is no ceiling to bounce the light, you may consider a bracket. I have this one and it helps with shadows.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=press+t+bracket&x=0&y=0

But you'll need the off camera cord as well.

The 50 will be your friend. It will be sharp. But the Tammy my help with the wide shots. I have the 5D2, so I shoot wide a lot. If you want to borrow the tele, that is a good idea. When I shot candids I don't like people to know I'm in the room. So, I use the 70-200 2.8 IS without flash whenever I can. But sometimes, flash is a necessity. I trigger the one or two flashes in the room with PWII's. It works great.

[waijai]

Thanks for the advice. I'm picking up a 70-200 f/4 tonight from a local guy, so that will be in the arsenel. While not an f/2.8 IS, I think it will help with what I need.

[SuzyView]

How are you using flash in the venue?

[waijai]

I have no idea what the venue will be like. Didn't have any success finding pictures of past dances. I'm just going to bring two zoom lenses and the flash.

[Tim S]

As a father of five girls, I have been to a lot of these dances. The photographers who have been doing them (two different people over the years) set up backgrounds and monolights w/umbrellas. One had a nice "set" that included a park bench and background of a scene with street lights.

[waijai]

oh I won't have any setup at the venue, i'm just going to shoot my friend and his daughter as they dance and do their thing. Can you comment on how the lighting is? Does it get very crowded?