Lighting Setup for Children

[natek313]

I am going to be taking some portraits of children/siblings this weekend. I have a portable lighting setup - includes an umbrella, reflector, and a Home Depot light I am going to use to help illuminate the background.

My questions are:

1 - My umbrella is 45". Is that too big for child portraits?

2 - If the umbrella is too large, what can I do to "make it smaller"?

3 - Are there any suggestions for a lighting setup? I initially thought about putting the umbrella camera left and slightly above the subject with the reflector to the right of the subject to help even out the lighting.

Thanks for all your help, guys!

[sybren]

I don't think the umbrella will be too large. If you find it too large during shooting, just zoom in your strobe or move the umbrella more to the strobe. That will diminish the area of the umbrella that's lit, effectively making it smaller.

As for the setup, it all depends on what kind of portraits you want to make. A scary vampire theme is going to require much different lighting than a standard for-granny family portrait.

[zona5101]

"... putting the umbrella camera left and slightly above the subject with the reflector to the right of the subject to help even out the lighting."
This will work just fine!

[natek313]

Thanks for the comments, guys!

I will have about one hour before the first family shows up, so I think that will be more than enough time for me to dial in my settings and get setup.