I think I'm in trouble!

[MT Stringer]

I've been asked by a family friend, and co-worker for 30 years, to shoot a family portrait. GULP! Fortunately, I have a few more hours before I have to reply to the voice mail.

I've been shooting sports and not portraits. I guess I'll find out more when I return that call tomorrow. I might have to decline because I don't have any studio lighting to use. Outdoors will probably be OK.

Here's some of my gear...
Canon 40D
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and 28-75 f/2.8
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
Sigma EF-500 DG Super Flash

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Mike

[phillip ino]

If he/she has asked you to take their family portraits, it most likely means that he/she enjoys your work and is confident in your skills. Orrrr....they want a freebie
But seriously...go on and do it. Just do your best and I'm sure everything will work out okay. You'll definitely have to do an outdoor shoot. Just have fun with it. Pretend it's like any ol' day with that family and don't forget to shoot in continuous mode(which I'm sure you're used to doing). Last but not least...have confidence in yourself.

[carrbowl]

PM Sent

[kronos2818]

Originally Posted by MT Stringer

I've been asked by a family friend, and co-worker for 30 years, to shoot a family portrait. GULP! Fortunately, I have a few more hours before I have to reply to the voice mail.

I've been shooting sports and not portraits. I guess I'll find out more when I return that call tomorrow. I might have to decline because I don't have any studio lighting to use. Outdoors will probably be OK.

Here's some of my gear...
Canon 40D
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and 28-75 f/2.8
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
Sigma EF-500 DG Super Flash

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Mike

Mike you got the gear you need. Find a nice park with a gazibo, water feature or flower garden do the shoot around the Golden Hours (6:00-8:00 p.m.), face them 45 degrees from the sun and fire away.
OOHH Shoot RAW so you can adjust the color temp and white balance to your liking.
Hope this helps.

[MT Stringer]

Thanks for the feedback. I put in a call and left a msg. They aren't expecting a freebie so I will have to figure out what to charge. Getting some good experience could be part of the package.

The two younger boys are in all sorts of sports so I might have to have them bring along a football or bat/glove. The oldest is in high school and just got his first vehicle to drive which is an old truck I've known for a loong time. More possibilities there also.

What I don't know until I talk to mom is how big a group. There may be more folks I don't know about. Her brother has been down from New York, but that was a couple weeks ago.

I guess I need to bone up on using fill flash. I might have to grab my daughter and have an impromptu yard session.

Mike

[toverman]

Good lighting is most important. If the truck is involved, try to find a place with an uncluttered background or one you can blur out the background. Good shade and some fill flash can often flatter people the best.

If you've got room, the 70-200 if a favored portait lens among many. Good luck!

[MT Stringer]

Turns out it was a surprise 80th birthday party for the kids' mom. They had received 90 RSVP's. The event took place on a 25 acre farm in Raywood, Tx. There are two sisters and a brother (my co-worker). All total, there were 15 folks in the picture.

The event turned out great. It was more like a family reunion with friends also invited.
I've got 325 pics for them. The weather was great, except for some sunshine bleeding through the oak trees.

Here are a few random pics from Sunday. Hope you approve.
Mike

Family portrait


The welcoming committee


They came bearing gifts!


Lunch under the big oak tree


The cake


A real camera hog!

[toverman]

These photos look great!

I'm most impressed with the group shot under the tree. Did they all wear white/light shirts unprompted? Other than a few strange hand positions, it looks like a true pro portrait. Good work!

[MT Stringer]

No, apparently someone decided they would all wear white. I didn't realize it until they all got into position.

[Cope]

Which lens did you use for the group picture?

[carrbowl]

you did awesome...great job...

[CincoJoe]

Great job. They will appreciate how you captured the day PJ style.

[MT Stringer]

Which lens did you use for the group picture?

Alan, I used the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.
Telephoto shots were with the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8

Mike

[Cope]

Originally Posted by MT Stringer

Alan, I used the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.
Telephoto shots were with the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8

Mike

Thanks, good work.

[jsmoove007]

Good stuff man