| Why take family portraits outdoors? Besides having a | | | | crowded. |
| beautiful and fun background, photographing outside | | | | You should also consider using a family hobby as a |
| provides the chance to use natural lighting. If you are | | | | potential setting. If the family loves horses, a green |
| a professional photographer or serious enthusiast | | | | pasture with horses in the background and the family |
| then you know that the external flash, studio lights | | | | posed in front could work well. If the family sails think |
| and reflectors work to mimic the beauty of natural | | | | about using the boat's deck as a setting. |
| light. | | | | Speaking of boats, a word of caution: if you decide |
| If you are a beginner or the designated family | | | | to take any family portraits outdoors at places such |
| photographer with a digital compact and built in flash, | | | | as the sea, beach or snow, here are some things |
| then taking your family portraits outdoors is the | | | | that can help: Select the beach mode on a digital |
| easiest way to get professional quality portraits, the | | | | compact, or if you use a DSLR or SLR, use a |
| type you'll want to display in picture frames. | | | | polarizing filter. This will help decrease the glare. Set |
| | | | the flash to "on" instead of "automatic" to help |
| The Best Natural Lighting for Taking Family Portraits | | | | minimize shadows on the family. Don't face the family |
| Outdoors | | | | towards the sun or they'll be squinting. |
| Not all outdoors lighting is ideal. The worst time of | | | | As with any picture, be sure to hide or remove |
| day to take family portraits outdoors is mid-day. The | | | | clutter in the background. Do you want to use the |
| best times of day to take outdoor photographs is | | | | natural lighting of outdoors but want a plain |
| the hour before sunset and after dawn when the | | | | background? Take a piece of material and tack it to |
| shadows are least harsh and the light is the softest. | | | | something like a fence. Check the lawn for sprinklers |
| The closer to these times you can gather the family | | | | and behind the family for things that might be |
| for their portrait, the better. | | | | distracting, like a lamp post. |
| Another good option is to wait for an overcast day | | | | If you want to diminish the overall background, use |
| when there's a high overcast, also called bright | | | | the Portrait mode or set your Aperture Priority for a |
| overcast. This provides enough bright light and is the | | | | smaller depth of field. |
| kind of softness professional photographers spend | | | | On the other hand, you may want to pose the |
| money on soft boxes to get. If the timing doesn't | | | | family so that yard features such as a beautiful tree |
| work for any of these time frames, find shade that | | | | or garden cottage are part of the picture. Just be |
| isn't too dark. | | | | sure to compose the shot with the focus on the |
| Outdoor Portrait Settings | | | | family. |
| The obvious choice and perhaps the perfect choice is | | | | Whether you are taking family portraits outdoors for |
| the family's backyard. Or you could take your family | | | | others or your own family, use these portrait tips |
| portraits outdoors at a place the family enjoys like a | | | | and you'll be sure to take a portrait that will be |
| park. If you go away from home, look for times of | | | | proudly framed on the family wall. |
| the day that the location you choose is the least | | | | |