Indoor photo shoot advice, please!

[DonnaL]

My stepdaughter has asked me to take family photos for her in a few weeks. Her husband is leaving for an extended Army training and she wants to get family photos done before he leaves. They have two children 2 1/2 and 15 months. My dilemma is that it's well over 110 here and we won't be able to shoot outdoors. The only thing I've thought of for nice indoor shots are the "family on the big bed" type shots. I know this is a problem in the winter for people living in colder climates... any suggestions?? Thanks!

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[emptybee]

I would look for the biggest window you have, have them face the window at an angle and shoot them there... You need indirect light, if the sun is blazing through the window try hanging a white sheet in the window to diffuse it, shoot them in such a way that you do not include the window in the photo. Also choose your widest aperture possible will shooting them and keep their faces on the same plane if possible so that everyone says in focus.

[TCampbell]

Even if it were 72º outside, direct sunlight is harsh in a photograph - avoid strong light that creates shadows with well-defined edges. Soft diffuse light is what you want.

Keep in mind that you ARE allowed to rearrange the furniture. That means if, as Mark suggests above, the best window in the house turns out not to have a good place to put them, then move the furniture. I re-arranged a LOT of furniture in my day to get the scene I wanted over into the light where I wanted it.

[Designer]

DonnaL, do you have a flash? Even if you are lucky enough to have a large window with diffused light, you could still use flash bounced off the ceiling or the wall behind you. Do some practice shots at home, under varying lighting conditions so you won't be thrown for a loop when you get to their house.

Don't forget to allow time for correcting your white balance under the expected lighting at their house.

Do you know the house well enough to know beforehand where you will pose the family? Is there a need for you to bring a backdrop? Now is the time to make suggestions of what clothing the family should be wearing.

Don't forget your tripod, flash, remote shutter release, reflectors, backdrop, and perhaps a "surprise" for any small child.