Leitz Loc: Solms

You seem to have a better conception than most of the respondents! Good luck, you'll do just fine!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Cindy, I will have my coffee to your decision. Cheers. Let's drink to a very outstanding shoot. Hope the weather gods are looking after you.Stan

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

My 24-120 was an L lens... plenty sharp. The OP mentioned "kit" lens and no brand or type.

I spent three decades working with people who photograph tens of thousands of groups per year. I was part of the group who tested lenses, cameras, props, compositions, lighting, etc. to make recommendations and determine optimal bang for buck.

Many situations require a short working distance due to room size, while others require short distances because of fill flash output constraints, outdoors. We supplied Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zooms with most of our rigs. I'd say 80% of the groups coming through the lab were made between 45 and 55mm (equivalent).

fsiegelphd

As you are using a full-frame camera, I prefer 85-90 mm for individual shots, but for a group your 50 will be fine. My main tip is to set your camera on multi- or continuous shooting, and shoot a lot (in digital, cost is virtually free). First, people thycially freeze when they are being photographed, and relax after the first click. More critically, the odds of getting 5 adults and 2 kids all having great expressions at one time is very, very low. I often will photoshop the images to take the best view of Michael from one frame, the best view fo Alex from another in the series, and mix and match.
The light is more imporant than the lens. Try to avoid direct sunlight, or, if you have tom use fill-in flash.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I use my 16-35 lens for group photos. It works fine on either a full frame camera body or a crop sensor body. I did one recently with my crop sensor body with about 10-12 people in it and it was fine.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Here is the research:
1st 10mm lens, 2nd 400mm lens.
Substantial difference in perspective.
Both taken at the same angle.
Finally using a most excellent 50mm lens is the third photo.

For the OP.
The wide as you can see also distorts the squirrels, stretches the tail etc. It shows more 3d dimensionality though.
The 400mm has pretty much no distortion but as you can see the 3d dimensionality is virtually gone and is incredibly flat looking.
Finally as you can see the 50mm is very natural looking, no perspective distortion or flattening. You get a correct looking subject and you get the great 3D dimensionality in the same photo.
WHAT an amazing bargain from the lowly 50mm lens.
Do what you want but this is just showing what happens with the wide vs tele vs "Normal"

I used a crop sensor camera and some will condemn it for tat reason. But at the same distances on a FF you get the same results.
Make your choice and have fun and keep chattering and snapping and they will interact and smile and all will have fun.

I am not an overly technical guru in photography. I do it for fun. But I do have eyes and van easily see differences such as this.

As stated before I would go with the 50mm or a second choice the 24-120.

10mm lens

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400mm lens

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Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Invalid conclusions. You do get a different perspective because the camera to subject distance changed.

If you want to do original research it has to be rigorous enough to produce logically valid results. You are clearly better off doing research on the Internet. Try starting with wikipedia which has a fairly good article on this subject.

But the first thing to realize is that this not a controversial topic. All experts agree that focal length has no effect while relative distance does. I'm posting from a smartphone and can't give you links now, but if you are unable to look it up I'll eventually dump a few URL's on you.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Apaflo, the point isn't to stay at the same distance and crop. It's to make a pleasing reproduction of the subject that does not draw attention to the medium, but rather, just transports an honest message!

It's a group photo, not some piece of art.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Flash this is what happens with a group of 7 people.
Move close to get them in with a wide.
Move back with a tele to get them in.
Different perspective.
I knew when I said what I did there would be a codger who thinks they are brilliant and can pontificate all day about some theory or lens.
But is incapable of actually showing what happens in real life. Collect lenses all day but get out and try some things like this and see.

Sorry OP but I do not want you to be disappointed with some absolutely goofy answer with no backup.
To fill the frame with different focal lengths of a fixed size object or group you will have to move forward or back which changes perspective substantially.
I hope this example helps and please ignore the peanut gallery of theory.

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

If the day is sunny you must do this.

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

But, if you change distance to obtain the same subject image size, as we all do, then the perspective is changed! If you don't "zoom with your feet" or crop to the same size, your images (at least some of them) will suck! Effectively, then, when you change distance at different focal lengths to get the desired image size, different focal lengths yield different perspectives!

Yes, you are right, you get different perspectives because you change distance, but you change distance ...

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

As previously stated the different perspective is not the result of a different focal length. If the distance is not changed the perspective is not changed. If the distance is changed the perspective will change. Keep the same distance and change the focal length all you like but it won't change the perspective. Basic laws of physics.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

You are so lost.
Yes at the same position perspective stays the same.
Learned that in Art classes for Architectural rendering.
But that is not the issue in this situation at all and your absolute confusion is showing as to what is even going on.
It is a fixed size group. Therefore different focal lengths will require different distances to fill the frame properly.
Try it some time it will amaze you how the perspective changes when doing a group with different length lenses.
As you say BASIC PHYSICS. PS I studied physics for 3 years (6 semesters)to get the Arch degree.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

Definitely use an aperture of around f8 or some of your group will be blurry. I would use aperture priority if in doubt. Whichever lens you decide to use. Good luck with your shoot.