Big family,beach shots

Need any advice. Ill be shooting a family if ten including two small little ones Nd two pregnant moms! We will be on an open beach. Ill shoot a few hrs before sunset. Any suggestions...lighting. I have a nikon d7000, 50mm lens, 70-200 lens and sb 600 light that I rarely use.

It appears that you have it all covered. The only thing I'd add is to bring a tripod.

Thank you. Should I use 50mm for big family shots? Or rent a wider lens? I'm not too confident with using my flash. Do you think it's needed for fill or can I get away without it?

Hi and welcome...I think the 50 should do the job depending how you pose them..

scootp said:

Thank you. Should I use 50mm for big family shots? Or rent a wider lens? I'm not too confident with using my flash. Do you think it's needed for fill or can I get away without it?

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If you had a wide, I'd say to use it, but since you don't, you can always use your feet. You've got enough lenses to cover a few wide shots of the family as a group. You're probably going to mix it up and use both lenses. Of course you will take a few family group shots, but I doubt that you're going to take a lot. They're not the most interesting of shots. The fun is in those candid shots taken at various angles and different focal lengths.

Sorry, I didn't reply to the flash question. What's the weather forecast for the day of the event? Also, I'd use some flash for fill and to freeze some action. Also, you said that your event was a few hours before sunset. You guys might just enjoy yourselves to the point of staying until sunset. Sunset photos would be really great.

Better acquire a good strong nd filter because the beach can have some seriously bright light especially if it is white sand.

Eye-level said:

Better acquire a good strong nd filter because the beach can have some seriously bright light especially if it is white sand.

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So true, Jeff . . . The only thing worst is shooting in the snow.

Yes snow is double tough...super bright and cold!

Oh and NEVER EVER set your camera, your camera in it's bag, or anything related to your camera on the sand...not even for a second

Sand is bad...it is really bad if you get it into your camera.

So maybe a Ziploc freezer bag is in order too

Eye-level said:

Yes snow is double tough...super bright and cold!

Oh and NEVER EVER set your camera, your camera in it's bag, or anything related to your camera on the sand...not even for a second

Sand is bad...it is really bad if you get it into your camera.

So maybe a Ziploc freezer bag is in order too

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. . . Another thing -- Salt. It's corrosive and creates a coating . . . I'm not sure how close you will be to breaking waves, but with breakers, comes misting salt water. If it's the typical calm beach with rolling waves, you should be OK.

Saltwater is even worse than sand and snow!

If you can get one, I'd suggest getting a 5-in-1 diffuser for reflecting light on the group shots. Using the natural power of sunlight with a reflector brings out the best in pictures.

All the advice given by the others is right on the money, too.

fotojack said:

If you can get one, I'd suggest getting a 5-in-1 diffuser for reflecting light on the group shots. Using the natural power of sunlight with a reflector brings out the best in pictures.

All the advice given by the others is right on the money, too.

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Excellent idea, Jack! Let nature do the work for you. Maybe I need to consider getting one of those . . . I've not thought about using such with natural sunlight.

For a family portrait, you will need just a 50mm. You don't need other lenses. If it is a family of 10, step back to get the entire family. You don't need a wide angle. 50mm gives you the actual perspection and the last thing you need is a wide angle that makes everything looks a bit distorted. Unless, you are going for a cinematic style, then use a wide angle.

Oh I have to agree with the sand issue. Sand can get everywhere pretty fast. And yes your probably going to need some fill. No such thing as a photo that doesn't need a little fill flash.