Lighting ideas for small group shot ?

I was trying to get a family photo today, outdoors in the shade with one off-camera speedlight shooting through an umbrella. I had two rows of people, with the speedlight/umbrella about 6 feet in front of my victims at a 45. Guess what I found out in a big hurry - people cast shadows

I kinda' sorta' got a useable shot by moving the umbrella in closer and going as high as it would go, but still not great.

So, short of abandoning the speedlight and putting everyone in direct sunlight, what could I have done differently with what I had?

You didn't say how many people you had, family of 4 or 10?

If a large group you will likely need a second flash at the other side at 45 as well.

If small group and working with what you had you might try losing the umbrella and coming closer to center up a bit above head level and pointed down, set to ambient and level the flash to kill shadows rather than trying to be a light source while leaving the background a stop or two less than flash.

An example photo might help explain what you were going for/what you got.

This might be helpful also:
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …peedlight-group-shot.html