Chaxl

In a few days, I'm doing my first photoshoot with a one year old girl and her mother.  I don't specialize in portraits,but since the other is a friend o mine, I couldn't say no. I shoot from my power chair with an attachable tripod that I had custom made.  I use the canon powershot sx50.  I'm mostly interested in knowing what ISO settings are typical for outside portraits since I hate to use auto mode?  The shoot I schedule to be at 5:30 so should I use my built in lash?  What about white balance?

As of now, a few of my posing ideas are:

Sunday, July 28, 2013
 
1. Both mother and daughter standing in front of tall weeds,
    slightly to the left (rule of thirds)…(Horizontal)
2. Both mother and daughter standing on the bridge looking
    away from the camera.  (Horizontal)
3. Both mother and daughter walking down a trail hand in hand, snapping their photo from behind (Vertically…probably black and white.)
4. Both mother and daughter sitting on a blanket making
    cute faces at each other. (Horizontal)
5. Mother on the blanket, legs in a butterfly, holding
    daughter in lap, both looking at camera, smiling.
    (Horizontal)

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Chaxl

EstherP

Yes: don't pose them, but let them interact with a book, toy, flower, at a comfortable distance from you.
Have the camera ready-to-shoot and push the button the moment you think there is a photo to be had. Many of these will likely be throw-aways, but I found for myself, I have had some of my best shots this way. In my case, it usually concerns the grandkids playing with the goats or horses, or jumping on the trampoline or "swimming" in 12 inches of water in the pool.
One thing I try and do, is to make myself invisible to them - I have the camera ready but start out reading a book, or "just" sit on the sundeck with a cup of coffee....
EstherP

Chaxl

Thanks for the tips. I'll try a few candid shots s well. My friend told me she will be putting a big sized photo of her and her daughter in her bedroom, ndd maybe few smaller ones aleo. I suggest 11 x 24. Also I'll do both color and black nn white, but since it's at a park, shadows tend to be amazing in B$W.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I use Esther's approach as well. I have found this to produce wonderful expressions and natural pictures. For me, those are much nicer than the posed shots which I sometimes do depending on the need.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Esther is sooo right! Do not pose them. The most precious moments to catch are those spontaneous ones at play, reading, hugging, etc. Let them be spontaneous. Make sure mom brings favorite toys and books. Have them blow bubbles! Everyone should be having a fun time, and if you try to corral a little one in to behaving in a manner to suit YOUR needs, you KNOW what happens! Cranky City!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Watch out for sun - better in a shady spot to avoid harsh shadows and squinting. If in the sun, use the flash for fill-in. Set white balance appropriately for sun or shade, but be prepared for color correction afterwards if needed. If someone wears white it will be easier in post-production. You can get fancy and use a gray card if the SX50 allows a custom WB setting.