Hey all

I don't have any example pics here with my on my work computer, but I'd love to know how to tackle harsh, very bright, front on sunlight when taking portrait photos.

Background to this:
I was asked to do some family portraits on a lookout that is over the ocean. Having the ocean and beach below was essential, and the only way to do this was to have the subjects looking at me as the sun was right behind me at the time. Because it was so bright they were all squinting. My only option at the time was to tell them to close their eyes, and I counted to 3. When I reached 3 they open, I take the shot...and everything looked normal and fine.

I want to be prepared for this sort of situation next time. What would you suggest?

I could have told them to their heads slightly and I move a bit so the sun wasn't so direct, but I then suffered from harsh shadows on the face. Fill flash to fix this? Or a light reflector?

Thanks!