Quote Originally Posted by Always Looking View Post
Sean,
Makes sense, looks like I have to invest a few dollars and get the flash off camera. I rarely use flash, but I'm starting to learn the benefits. I certainly can see the faces are almost 'highlighted' in your photos. I use to wonder why some professional photographers prefer their studio as compared to outside, I am finally beginning to understand, they can control the lighting, back round, etc.

Thank you for your advise.
You got it. Being able to control the light plays a huge part in making a photo "pop." It isn't easy, though, especially outdoors...

My setups aren't always this complex, but they can be...


Jordan Chitwood Setup by budrowilson, on Flickr

However, the gear I listed for the maternity shot I showed didn't cost an arm and a leg. You can get a decent lightstand for $40, an umbrella swivel for less than $20, a decent umbrella for around $20, and you can make your own sandbag for next to nothing.

So, we're talking less than $100.00 to give you a good off-camera light source? Well worth the money, in my opinion. ;-)