outdoor family portriats help

[MRCPix]

I need some help. I was just hired to shoot a lady's family of 8 plus a dog:) grandparents, parents and kids.
I was asked to do it outdoors and she has a place in mind that she wants to shoot and I am ok with that, but I will visit it before we shoot. Oh yes the shoot is set for Saturday the 14th in the morning.

need some advice I will have to get a flash because I don't have one and I am sure there won't be enough natural light to fill the eyes( I hate dark eye sockets).

So any help or advice would be apreciated.
YES this is my first group shoot that is not sports teams.

thank you
Mike

[Dobick]

I know that this is not what you asked for help on, but just so you know, the 14th is a Friday.

My personal preference for large shots like this is to light evenly from both sides if you can manage two flashes with diffusers. Secondly, I love the look of a dark green background (but in the distance so that the details disappear somewhat.) Obviously that will depend on the location. If it is early enough in the morning light, you can place them in full sunlight at maybe a 45 camera right and fill with a flash at 3/4 stop lower to lessen the contrast. The blue of the sky should really pop with that (if not overcast that day)

[MRCPix]

sorry it is the 15th :)
I am hoping for the sun to be right also because I don't own a flash so I will have to rent one or borrow one for that morning. I don't have light stands or a way to fire flashes remotely so all I will have is one on top of my hotshoe.
I know I need a couple of flashes and umbrellas to do this right.

Thanks for the advice.
oh about the background I was told she wants the portriats in from of the pond that is there.

[Dobick]

If you find the right angle and the right sky, the reflection from the pond might just add a stunning visual element that sends this one over the top.

Based on your possum shots, you know how to work with light very well, so you should be able to get creative enough, to make this a great shot. I have confidence in you.

[MRCPix]

possum shots? I don't have any possum shots.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by MRCPix

possum shots? I don't have any possum shots.

Ok well then I take back my vote of confidence... {j/k}

I must have confused another poster with your screenname. I am sorry about that. Now I have to go look and see who I was thinking of.

Fact remains, that you should do fine though. Umbrellas would be a nice addition, but I expect you will be able to swing it with the oncamera flash as well.

[Dobick]

It was mxcat that I was thinking of (he also has a tiger as his avatar, and both of your names start with M, and both of you are from DFW.

My sincere apologies to both of you for the confusion.

[MRCPix]

it is ok I have wildlife on my PBase link along with some other stuff.