Advice on outdoor candid shots please

[wippers]

Hi All - I've been asked to photograph a family outdoors candid style. We're going to shoot in a local park. I've done a wedding for a friend as a favour with pretty good results but never needed to decide what poses to get etc. The family have 4 children all off to Uni soon so wanted something nice for the wall before the family all head their own ways.
Can anyone give me a few pointers and tips etc? I'm rather nervous going in to this with few ideas at present as they have offered to pay for the prints. I just want to make a really good job for them.

 

[Harvey_nikon]

Ok, well if it is candid you shouldn't need to pose them. Get them to take a picnic, a football, frisbee etc. Let them sit around and interact as a family and you move around them taking the shots and they pretend you aren't there, unless a quick "look at me" is needed for nice pic

Other outdoor tips: shoot with the sun behind them not in front of them, try somewhere shady if its really bright to give more even light.

If you really wanted classic posed shots I am sure someone will come along with links to something. The other bet would be to google other tog sites and see what they are doing

 

[wippers]

Cheers for the pointers. Wouldn't have thought about taking a ball or frisbee etc. The use of props to get the shots is a great idea. These are the sort of things you learn from experience, which is something I don't currently have, but willing to learn!

 

[Harvey_nikon]

Don't worry, I don't have any experience either

At least practical experience, it's amazing what you pick up from hanging around here