If your family is anything like mine then the Holidays are likely be the few times that you will have everyone together in one place. So many of us want to take advantage of this time together by taking a family photograph. With that in mind, I thought I’d offer you some tips on making a better family portrait this year.
Location
Find a place that offers ample room for everyone to gather.
- Outdoors
- Garage
- Living Room
- Sunroom
- Open Kitchen
Lighting
Try to void using your camera’s flash, it isn’t flattering.
- Don’t place everyone in front of a bright window with their backs to it.
- Faces towards the light!
- Ceiling Lights
- Lamps
- Setup
When backs are to the window, the people in the portrait end up being too dark because the camera has tried to expose for the brightest scene…the window.
However, natural light from a window is beautiful when lighting the face. If no choice, close the blinds and use the ceiling lights or lamps. Ceiling lights are probably not the best option alone so, add lamps next to the side walls (white walls preferred), to the left and right sides of the grouping area. Place one lamp near the camera (center of the group/behind the camera) as well…this will also provide a nice catch light in the eyes.
Get your lighting setup before you call everyone together if you can. At least get the lighting needed into the room you’re going to take the photograph in so everyone isn’t waiting on you.
Posing
Use seating and standing positions together. Take control!
- Love Seat
- Ottoman
- Chairs
- Bar Stools
- Move Furniture
Use a love seat, bar stools, or kitchen chairs for the older folks to be comfortable. Once you get Grandma and Grandpa seated, begin to think like a Tetris master and place everyone else around them.
Don’t just have everyone standing shoulder to shoulder. Have the smaller family groups/couples touching/leaning into one another. Parents can hold kids if needed or sit some kids, (and some adults), on the arms of the chair around the Grandparents. Utilize the floor in front of the chair for some children. The goal is to make everyone fit, and look a part of the family…one that loves each other!
Equipment
Besides just a camera
- Self timer functioning camera
- Tri-pod or books to sit camera up right
- Fast feet and a clear path
You need about 10 seconds to get yourself into place. Oh yeah, you should have your spot chosen beforehand. Set the focus, and then hit the button for it to begin its countdown to shoot. Get in place and have everyone smile/look at the camera.
Stress
Don’t expect a perfect photo!
- Don’t pressure everyone for the perfect photo
- Just get everyone included in the portrait
- Not everyone will have the best smile, look, or even be paying attention
- Capture the moment and memories, not the perfect picture
- Most of all…
I took a former youth member (now 21) out for a fun modeling portrait session downtown Kannapolis and we had a great time. Around this same time, a mom of a teen in our church asked me to do a sweet sixteen session with her daughter.
Using my Christmas studio setups we did just that, as well as producing Christmas cards, prints, and a gorgeous pearl canvas of her little man.
