Shooting soon to be mom

[ottojoe]

I will be shooting a very pregnant friend this weekend. A few weekends ago I had the chance at her home to shoot her and had a few problems, even though she loved the shots and now wants last minute, due to deliver very soon, more.

I use Canon 50, have bunch of lenses, tried the 50 but for entire body shot wonder if I shouldnt. I only have 2 flashes a 530 and 430. Have access to a friends large soft box and either white or black background. Have to have one on the camera but it will trigger the other. Both have diffusers built in, should I use them or just turn down the flash exposure - way down.

Problems I had at last shot. She has very dark hair, she is very modest (normally) so she has a bit of a tan on her face (we live in California) but belly and legs are so white they ended up glowing in most shots. I am only beginning to take shots of people and really enjoy it but I was recently reading some of the critiques in the portrait section and some of the things I like are bashed, such as a little shadow from hair or nose on the face seems more real to me but - I guess - a big no-no in portraits.

Well anyways, sorry about the ramblings, but excited and want to do a good job with what I have. She even wants to be almost nude with a blue tool - chiffon material covering her naughty parts and this blows me away knowing her for many years and knowing her extreme modesty.

Questions - how do I deal with such difference in skin tones, should I try to get her to do a little makeup on the extreme white skin? Where should I set the lights that I have to light her properly (most shots will be almost complete body profile with head turned toward me), she even wants a fan setup to blow her hair a bit and the material covering her body.

Oh - I also have gold, silver, white, black reflector

Help, help, help

Thanks for any advice.

[amberskies]

maybe she could use a fake wash-away tan lotion? If she puts it over her whole body it will even out her skin, it washes off, and she could get a really light/subtle tone.

[ottojoe]

Thanks Amber great idea. I am a guy so I dont know much about this, didnt know there was such a thing. Her sister will be helping so that sounds very doable.

[henson]

I love taking pictures of people. Good luck with the shoot. Make sure you post up your pics when youre done.