Lets start out with talking about photography in direct light. Direct sunlight is extremely harsh. It can wash out the subject and cause shadowing on the face. However there are a few things you can do to maximize your shooting time when in direct sunlight.
If at all possible avoid shooting when the sun is its strongest. When the sun is at its peak, in early afternoon, the rays are the strongest. If you have to shoot during the harshest hours try to stick to shooting in the shade. The shade of a tree is often a great tool, plus it provides a very nice prop for your subject. Be sure though to keep your background from washing out by using the correct shutter speed. Meter your light off of the sky if necessary to keep everything from washing out. Do not meter your light on the background as this will cause a silhouette image. While this would be nice for one, its probably not the look you are going for.
Use a reflector if you are going to be out in full sun. A reflector can be store bought or home made. A piece of white poster board makes for a great reflector. Be careful of using any with colors on it, as they will also reflect on your subject. Reflectors keep the whole image lit, they will also reduce the harsh shadows.
Remember direct sun is very harsh and will cause shadows, there are only a few things you can do to avoid this washout. Experement to find what combination of events work for you.
