Shooting in harsh sunlight

I was  visiting the in-laws in Florida for Thanksgiving so it has been a few days since I posted a blog.  I took all my camera gear and we took some family photos at my father-in-laws house.  I especially like this one of the grandkids.

Piling them all into a boat made for a great informal pose.  The sun was very bright and I have discovered that my personal favorite lighting in this situation is to have the sun directly behind the subjects so the sun doesn't cast shadows on their faces, and to lighten them up with a little fill flash.  I have tried having the sun behind me and I think it makes the light unflattering.  I have tried having the sun off to the side of my subjects, but have found the shadows to be too harsh even with some fill flash.

Keep shooting!

Ryan