I got silver...on a cloudy day

I photographed a client recently and took advantage of the warm outdoor temperature and OVERCAST day. Using an overcast day for outdoor shoots is like using a huge softbox. Though the lighting is complimentary to skin tones and very even, you can still step it up a notch. For the shot above, I used a silver reflector under her face (you could use a gold one also). This added a little more light to her eye area (lower lids, inner corners by nose) and added great catch lights in her eyes. No fill flash needed and it doesn't cause your subject to squint - assuming you have it far enough away.

Swing Shift

Portraits don't need to be "set up". Here is a perfect example that is in line with the topic of a former post,  "Child's Play". 

 

Instead of posing them (which I did too), I allowed them to play (in good lighting) and they decided to swing. I captured the above shot. Would look great in a black wood frame, white matte. The bonus is they forgot ignored the fact that I was even taking pictures. You can't pose the natural expressions you get this way.

Post: Converted to B&W, increase contrast and slight high pass filter.