Let’s admit it. We, as a family, always have been fond of taking pictures. There are only few households who do not have a family picture in their respective houses. This only goes to show that people normally have family pictures right beside them. If you want to have your family portrait taken, then here are some family photography tips.
Compressing the group is a better idea rather than keeping them a bit far with proper distances. As a photographer, keep in mind the motto: “the closer the better”. This is because being close together shows warm intimacy within the group or the family. That’s what supposed families should be. Close and in tact. Try to have them stand still the shoulders should be overlapping so position them in slight angles. Also, you might want to consider the age of the family that you are taking a picture of. If there is an elderly who is present like Granny, make sure you have prepared a chair for her.
Coordinate on the color of their clothing. Although, they have the primary say on what they want to wear, you can suggest a color for their clothing and whether it would be a dress or a just a polo. This will give you less time for your post production period. You can suggest them to have just a plain shirt with complementing colors. Or you can simply tell them to wear one color.
Try to manage blinking eyes. In a large family, which include the extended family members (uncle, auntie, cousins, grandpa, grandma) you will have to master the timing. Also, it would help if you count so that they could prepare. Also, check every after image has been taken since you might see someone closing their eyes in time for their blink.
Try to capture more genuine smiles. How? That’s easy. Just make them laugh and the smile will eventually come out. You can joke your way to them or you can make them perform things they usually don’t do – like jumping, making funny faces and forming various positions using the human body. You’ll see their smiles on their faces pouring out and eventually, you will gather genuine and true smiles.
Don’t forget to check camera settings. This is actually a primary step into working fast with the shoot. You might want to do test shots to see of the color of the image or the brightness is just right. Check the ISO, metering, aperture and shutter speed since they all play part or role in the shoot.
Don’t forget to include the pets. Yes they are part of the family as well! The picture would result to a candid-looking and heart warming one if you include them!
These family photography tips will be very beneficial especially if it’s your first time to be a paid photographer.
