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If you are a beginner or the designated family photographer with a digital compact and built in flash, then taking your family portraits outdoors is the easiest way to get professional quality portraits, the type you'll want to display in picture frames.
The Best Natural Lighting for
Not all outdoors lighting is ideal. The worst time of day to take outdoor family portraits is mid day. The best times of day are what many photographers refer to as the "Golden Hours," the hour before sunset and after dawn when the light is softest and the shadows least harsh. The closer to these time frames you can take the portrait, the better.
Another good option is to wait for an overcast day when there's a high overcast, also called bright overcast. This provides enough brightness but with the kind of softness the pros spend money on soft boxes to get. If the timing doesn't work out for any of the above, find shade that isn't too dark.
Settings for Outdoor Portraits
The obvious choice and perhaps the best choice is the family's backyard. Or you could take a cue from high school senior photography and take your outdoors family portrait at a place the family enjoys such as a park. If you go away from home, look for locations and times of the day when the area is the least crowded.
You should also consider using a family activity or a hobby as a potential setting. If the entire family is into horses, a pretty pasture with horses nibbling on the grass with the family posed on and in front of a nice white fence could work quite well. If the family sails, consider the boat's deck.
Speaking of boats, a word of caution: if you decide to take any family portraits outdoors at places such as the sea, beach or snow, here are some things that can help: Select the beach mode on a digital compact, or if you use a DSLR or SLR, use a polarizing filter. This will help decrease the glare. Set the flash to "on" instead of "automatic" to help minimize shadows on the family. Don't position the family where they will be facing the sun otherwise they'll be squinting.
As with any photo, be sure to remove or hide clutter. Do you want to use the natural lighting of outdoors but want a plain background? Tack a piece of fabric to a fence. Check for things like lawn sprinklers or anything behind the family that may be distracting like a lamp post.
If you want to diminish the overall background, use the Portrait mode or set your Aperture Priority for a smaller depth of field.
On the other hand, you may want to pose the family so that yard features such as a beautiful tree or garden cottage are part of the picture. Just be sure to compose the shot with the focus on the family.
Whether you are taking family portraits outdoors for others or your own family, use these portrait tips and you'll be sure to take a portrait that will be proudly framed on the family wall.
