ISO
Watch your ISO. With a high ISO you might end up with lot’s of noise. If you can, put the ISO to auto but limit it to max 1600 (depends on the camera you have. Some can even handle higher ISOs without too much noise).
Speed
Shoot like a machine gun. Fortunately, my EOS 7D can make 8 pictures per second, because someone will always have their closed eyes 🙂
Location
Reconnoitre the location you are at or where the shoot should take place. If possible, take someone with you to test the the light / shades / distance, etc.
Lenses
Especially if you’re shooting indoors, take something fast with you. I’d like the 50mm 1.4 or the 40mm 2.8. These lenses give you a nice light-sensitivity. But be careful about the narrow depth of field when going lower than f/2.0. For outside shots I prefere the 70-200mm f/4. Being able to take a step back, the group does not have you / the lense right in front of them when you can gain some distance.
Post-Production
Take your time, sort out good and only provide the really good ones. Play with the image clipping. Sometimes you’ll be surprised how much you can gain with the right clipping.
Smile 🙂
If you smile, they will smile. Also talk to them and tell them what to do. Usually, you don’t get much time for you shoot.. Nevertheless, take the time and have a quick look at the last batch of pictures you’ve taken. Nothing worst then realising afterwards, that you missed something (Spinach between the teeth, an open fly or mysteriously changed settings of your cam)
Here are some of my latest shooting for the company I’m currently working for (no, not as a photographer).
What is your experience? What are your tipps and tricks?
When taking someone with you to test the light / shades / distance, etc. don’t forget to take lots of silly pictures of that person 😉
And when shooting under a tree’s shadow use a flash in order to even out the shadows on people’s faces.