Need Help With This Shot--Lighting & Posing

I'd like to get a 50 wescott too. i think they are a tad cumbesome with the front diffuser panel access point. Nice thing is they open up quick. Indoors I think they work better because theres no wind. The way the shaft sits in the umbrella shaft holder the box can still spin a bit unless you cinch the thumb screw tight (leaving dimples in the shaft).

I guess this is when an umbrella actually works well to fill.Less control of light with an umbrella but it really depends if your just wanting to just get fill.

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #12849043
I just got a 50" Westcott Apollo softbox, I was thinking of using it instead of the shoot through umbrella-- think this would improve things?

Not for large groups. You won't really notice much, if any, difference. You will notice a difference when using it for bridal portraits.

I always have to use a ladder due to me being so short. So, this is what I would suggest, instead of the ladies on the stairs, put yourself as a few steps up and shoot down. When you shoot up, you get chins and necks and wide angle lenses make the center subjects small, outside ones larger than normal. For the lighting, there is no one answer, just use as much diffused light as possible.

You didn't do awful, just have to practice and get to the venue earlier and practice with models.

I find the simplest solution is just bouncing your onboard, and maybe using the OCF as a rim or pointed to the side and behind the group to light up the background. As for posing, it would depend on the size of the bridal party for the next wedding. I would put the bride in the middle to start. If the bridal party size is bigger, I would have them sit down. If not maybe the same V shape reversed, with the bridal in the middle.