Sierra Madre — Harsh, mid-day sun and shadows make for a potential nightmare for shooting portraits. Finding the right light in those conditions can be a challenge, especially when you have limited space for a good background.

Shooting tight and wide open can make just about any background look good, especially at f2.8. Using a silver reflector helps throw light onto the shaded subject, making the photo “pop.” This time, rather than reflecting high at a 45-degree angle, we shot low, under the chin, giving viewers a feel of warmth while maintaining it’s cheeriness. Is that a made up word?