Family Portraits: First Run

A few weeks ago my friend Cherie asked if I would take some family pictures for her.  I said, "Um, you're aware that I have absolutely no experience & really don't know what I'm doing right?" 

She said, "No problem."

So I said, "Yes!"

We headed to Grapevine's Botanical Gardens where there were approximately 200 other families taking pictures... (Okay maybe not quite 200).

There was a beautiful little grove of trees with light streaming in through the branches so I decided to experiment with sun flares.  I've never really done that before but it turned out really well!  I had to use the manual setting instead of aperture priority (the crutch I usually rely on) to get the right exposure.  

Too much?  How do you know when it's too much?!

Amy was a little shy at first, but slowly warmed up to the camera and we got some really cute shots.  

I feel like I still struggle with proper exposure.  I need to learn how to use my light meter well because I generally guess on my settings and then check out how the picture turns out on my screen.  It works decently, but it's certainly not the most effective way to shoot.  For example, this picture is over exposed.  Whoops.

And I feel like this one is too...

Good thing the Gurneys just looked so good anyway...  

Thanks Gurneys for being my puppets while I figure things out a bit!