Full Sun Portrait...Help!

Hey guys, not sure if this has been asked before but if it has, I couldn't find it.

I have a photoshoot for Saturday and when we scheduled they said Saturday would be the only day that the entire family would be in town. I have a wedding to attend that evening so twilight is out of the question. So I told them 7:30 or 8 am if they want to get any decent light. Well the guy practically called me an idiot (granted he's twice my age) and said he would have his friend go down to the location around 9 or 10 and see what the lighting is like (because apparently I don't know?!?!)

So he called me back, his friend told him the sun is out at 9 or 10 (DUH!) and asked to schedule for 11:00. I said ok but we are going to have to seek out some serious shade. I can bet that some pictures will be in full sun though as this location is a park on the river.

My question is, how do I do a decent job at this? I have never shot in full sun before and I'm not sure how to approach it. I believe there will be about 7 or 8 people total. Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Sidenote, when I told him my print prices ($2, $7.50, $12, etc) he said "Well that's not a lot of money." What the heck does that mean?!

amykillianphotography wrote in post #5515659
Sidenote, when I told him my print prices ($2, $7.50, $12, etc) he said "Well that's not a lot of money." What the heck does that mean?!

He meant your prices are really cheap. So, raise them.

As for the light, good luck. And, fill flash.

[QUOTE=sevillafox;5516​190]He meant your prices are really cheap. So, raise them.

I know I know, that's all I'm hearing lately. I think you commented on my other post about sitting fees. I have a hard time charging people a lot of money. Gotta get over that!!!

Overhead diffusers, and reflectors (even a foam core board will work)

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=501757

amykillianphotography wrote in post #5516329
I know I know, that's all I'm hearing lately. I think you commented on my other post about sitting fees. I have a hard time charging people a lot of money. Gotta get over that!!!

Raise them and then offer discounts if you feel bad or if you feel the situation merits it. People like getting a deal. Plus, if you price cheap, they assume your work is cheap and it could keep you from getting other jobs.

EDIT: BTW, congrats on the upcoming addition to your family.

First of all, shoot this guy that arranged the middle of the day session. Now you only have 6 or 7 to photograph. Less chance of eyes closed ( blink ).

Seriously, it is easier to to have the sun somewhat behind, and add flash to front, instead of having overhead sun. You will hope to find some open shade and use that, or fill some with flash, depending on the lighting.

One thing is for sure, you just can't have people squinting because of sun in their eyes. I wish you the best of luck.

Best wishes, Don

amykillianphotography wrote in post #5515649
My question is, how do I do a decent job at this? I have never shot in full sun before and I'm not sure how to approach it. I believe there will be about 7 or 8 people total. Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Stand the entire group with the sun at their backs, so that none of them are squinting and tearing from staring into the sun. Then use flash fill to provide light at an intensity which is -1EV from the intensity of the sun lit detail.

Thanks Wilt, I envy your ability to be so succinct and yet implicit.

Don Powell wrote in post #5518224
Thanks Wilt, I envy your ability to be so succinct and yet implicit.

Thanks Dave! I spent a lot of years reading tons of extraneous information and the many so-called instruction books that taught nothing except "mimic what I do".

If I can avoid the verbose description, yet pass on the knowledge gained thru many years, that makes me happy to spread it efficiently to help others avoid the mistakes I had to suffer thru.

I ran across this problem with an engagement shoot, that was a practice shoot for the wedding I'm doing this weekend. We basically went out on the golfcourse at 2:30 when the reception would be and shot. As you can guess it was a nightmare! The best way I could solve it was to put the sun behind them. Even then they'll still squint!, but use fill flash and set your camera to Av mode and it will help eliminate the racoon eyes. You can't change the lighting, but you can just do your best with the time of day they have given you. You could try doing more artistic shots where they aren't full on looking at you, so you don't see their squinty eyes! Like with my b/g I plan to have them snuggling and facing the water fount and me shooting them from behind and framing it nicely with a fountain in the back. Although those shots are a lot more difficult to do if you have 7 people! It would be hard to come up with a way they weren't looking and even if you could, it's probably not what they are looking for.

Best of luck, just explain to them their pictures won't be the best because of the lighting and if they don't care, then you shouldn't care either (okay deep down inside you will, but you know what i mean!)

Can you find the shade of a tree to put them all into, for the shot?

amykillianphotography wrote in post #5515659
Sidenote, when I told him my print prices ($2, $7.50, $12, etc) he said "Well that's not a lot of money." What the heck does that mean?!

It means you ain't charging nearly enough money for your prints! I'd add a zero at the end of each price!