Tips for Family Photography: The Good Group Photo

Probably the most difficult image to set up and pull off is group family photography. These images only really work when everyone is on the same page, looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. Synchronizing by making everyone say “cheese” is the typical way to make everyone smile. But it doesn’t always work.

Here are some things to think about when trying to take that beautiful family portrait to make everyone happy:

Put the group at ease – It is essential that all participants in the photo feel comfortable with each other and with the photographer. If the photographer is also a member of the family, being at ease shouldn’t be a problem. With no strangers in between, relaxing in front of the camera is not a problem.

Move to the scene – Don’t be afraid to enter the scene, cutting out the background and focusing only on the people. Cut out the tops of taller people’s heads to emphasize a connection between family members. Allow the drama of kinship and love to unfold on camera. Let family members interact before taking the photo. Saying “cheese”, while always listed as one of the most important tips for family photography, is not always a good thing and will make people stiff and less sincere, so sit them down and let them feel comfortable. The good shot will continue as you watch.

Blur the background – Blurring the background makes people’s looks more dramatic. It makes the family the center of attention because, after all, the family unit is what you are filming.

Sincere within the Group – There is always someone in the family in a gathering who does not want to sit down and take a photo. Today’s small compact cameras make it easy to take candid photos without everyone having to pose. Keep the camera in your pocket while working in the room. Find your shot, compose it and shoot quickly. It takes practice, but quick shots work well with a little thought and concentration.

Taking multiple shots – When trying to capture everyone in a group, the only really successful way to do it is to take a lot of photos and quickly. Shooting in quick bursts of three or four shots at a time will get you the good shot you’re looking for. The first shot is usually a throwaway shot. However, the second or third will probably be the goalkeeper. Take a few shots before everyone is ready. Some of the best images are of the actual seating arrangement as part of the activity.

Timing is everything – Choosing the moment carefully will make or break the shot. However, true timing can only be learned with practice. Another tip that tops the list of family photography tips is that the sooner you learn to compose or know what you want in composition, the better your timing will be. Try to work on taking pictures within the natural flow of events, when the family is naturally close together rather than artificially posed, which makes them more rigid.

Turning on – No matter what type of photography, lighting is probably the most important element. In most cases, a small flash will suffice. However, larger family groups may require more lighting. Taking the picture outdoors in natural light makes shooting easier and less stressful.

Taking control – It is essential for the photographer to maintain control of the situation and communication is the key. Keep talking to your subjects so they understand what you want to do and what they need to do to make the situation happy. If you have a very large group to photograph, use a tripod and ask someone to act as your assistant.

Smile – Finally, there is nothing worse than a grumpy old photographer, so smile. That will make everyone who has to participate feel comfortable. Have fun, act like you are enjoying the process. It’s okay to make a joke or two to get everyone to relax. And don’t be afraid to get creative. Think out of the box. The group can be a group without sitting next to each other with another row standing at attention behind. Emphasize other aspects of “family.” Play with it. Enjoy!

I hope these family photography tips have been helpful to you.

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