Here's how I used my Canon 6D and 600EX-RT to shoot family portraits under the midday sun using shade, sun, strobe in different ways.
At Forest Park where we captured engagement photos 3 years earlier, I met my clients to capture winter family photos with their now 1 year old daughter, Reagan.
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With younger kids, I start slow to get them comfortable around me and the camera and strobes. We mix it up between candid and posed photos taking cues from the kids to determine when we can get the best reaction or mood.
Here I'm interacting with Reagan while her parents hold back. Reagan was interested in the camera and responsive to me, so we were able to get some fun shots of her. I use my Canon 6D and Yongnuo radio trigger to control my 600EX-RT shooting through an umbrella to light up Reagan's face and offset the harsh midday sun.
GEAR: Canon 6D, Sigma 70-200 2.8, Yongnuo YN-E3-RT Radio Trigger, Canon 600EX-RT, Manfrotto 1004BAC light stand, 43" white shoot through umbrella
SETTINGS: 1/160 sec at f/5.0, ISO 160 112mm
Reagan DID NOT want to sit still, but we still got a few quick posed family shots... for posterity.
GEAR: Canon 6D, Sigma 70-200 2.8, Yongnuo YN-E3-RT Radio Trigger, Canon 600EX-RT, Manfrotto 1004BAC light stand, 43" white shoot through umbrella
SETTINGS: 1/180 sec at f/6.3, ISO 160 70mm
Walking photos are an easy way to keep young kids engaged and get a photo of them with their parents. Black and White or Sepia photos always look good. Lightroom presets are a great way to quickly test out different adjustments for your photos. They also save a lot of editing time. I started with a free preset kit from Sleeklens that I use a lot.
Gear: Canon 6D, Sigma 70-200 2.8
SETTINGS: 1/1000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200 76mm
Reagan did not want to slow down, so we made the best of it and got some action shots. I am a big fan of always adding some fill light. I want to deliver well lit photos. Here I am using the built in white reflector on the Canon 600EX-RT to throw some light on my subjects. It doesn't seem like much, but it does the job.
GEAR: Canon 6D, Sigma 70-200 2.8, Yongnuo YN-E3-RT Radio Trigger, Canon 600EX-RT using built in bounce flash
SETTINGS: 1/320 sec at f/6.3, ISO 200 70mm
We did some fun photos in between, and finish with some more portraits of Reagan on an old wooden chair I brought. I'm using my radio trigger setup again with the shoot through white umbrella.
GEAR: Canon 6D, Sigma 70-200 2.8, Yongnuo YN-E3-RT Radio Trigger, Canon 600EX-RT, Manfrotto 1004BAC light stand, 43" white shoot through umbrella
SETTINGS: 1/320 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320 119mm
GEAR: Canon 6D, Sigma 70-200 2.8, Yongnuo YN-E3-RT Radio Trigger, Canon 600EX-RT, Manfrotto 1004BAC light stand, 43" white shoot through umbrella
SETTINGS: 1/400 sec at f/6.3, ISO 200 70mm
Let me know if this post helped with your photography skills. Feel free to ask questions in the comments below!