jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Hi all,

I have been asked to take a team photo of about 5 or 6 financial planning members. They are in a nice office building with some nice backgroud opportunities in the lobby. Probably should have something in the image that projects financial planning and we are here to help you. Good source of natural light nearby would be nice or I could bring some lighting. Any ideas from those who may have done something similar.

allen finley photography Loc: Sunshine State.

Bring reflectors to bounce the light up and from the front of the group and from the opposite of the natural light source so that it flows over your subjects. Meter your shot for the backlight and use a fill flash. When posing them use strong masculine powerful poses. Even the women. Have them wear greys and blacks/ no zany ties or prints. after you have captured each of the serious poses shoot them smiling as well. Have fun and post your results

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Thanks Alan, Good advise! We will take the photo in about 3 weeks. Before then I will stop over to scout out backgrounds with ambient light and take some readings. I may try to get individual shots while I am there. Posibly at their desk, by a window, etc...

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

First time through was a little rough. We kept moving about the office building looking for a good background. Ended up in the lobby with me using my speedlight off camera for fill, but background was a little blown out. They were not totally happy with the poses and expressions. Going at it again tomorrow. Also adding another person. Any tips would be appreciated. They do prefer the full body pose (head to toe). Thinking about trying my 11-16 wide angle. Distortion risk?

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Lots of lines by the window frames. I'd recommend using their corporate board room -- and don't ignore some seated poses.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

This spot is another option. Really don't have a board room.

allen finley photography Loc: Sunshine State.

Try shooting with a 70-200, 300 lens to get a better diffused background. Also the guy on the end is a real stiff, get him to loosen up some on his pose(hand in pocket, 3/4 turn, weight on back foot) be careful of your spacing between the clients(don't want them to appear crowded).

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

You really need to pose them. Currently, they are just standing stiff and uneasy.

1. Find a background that is less detailed and distracting.
2. Move them farther away from the background and put the background out of focus.
(you mentioned going in beforehand and looking for backgrounds, sounds like that didn't happen as planned if the whole crowd was with you searching for a location)
3. If there is a corporate symbol or sign that you can use as background, try out a few scenarios.
4. Allen is right, pose them at 45 degrees and have them do something with their arms. Break the straight lines into bent elbows and hands in pockets, but visible. Definitely put them on their back legs and bend the front knee.
Leaning forward from the WAIST a little will make them look more engaged with the viewer and thinner.
5. Absoulutely turn their hands so the slim edges are to the camera, not hanging like pieces of ham.
6. They need to be connected together more. It may seem uncomfortable, but there shouldn't be gaps between them unless they are spread out within an office (another shot possibility}
7. Try having 1 or 2 seated at an angle with others forming triangles with them. The all in a line pose is boring and a bit un-natural for the purpose you stated.
8. Watch out for the glasses glare, tip the temples up slightly or angle the head to eliminate the glare.
9. The person on the left needs to be tucked in behind another person enough to hide his stomach more. The line of the person in front will slim him to your advantage.
10. The female should have her visible elbow bent away from her body to show her feminine curve.

It's up to you to get them to loosen up enough to smile naturally and relax within your posing. If you are nervous or indecisive, they will reflect that in their attitude and expressions.

Also, you need more space around the group, depending on the usage, they may need extra space for alternate cropping. Best to find out.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Nailed it! Ok, I am just kidding. However this group shot is probably the best for expression. Just having fun with the swirl background. What I plan to do is use layers in Elements to brighten and blur the lobby background. I really appreciate all the advise (really good tips) and hope that with experience my posing abilties improve. Finding a good background is key, but within this office building the lobby is it. No board room, or wall with logo. Outside, some brick walls and wooded areas that don't work. It was a dark morning with storms moving through so lighting again was a challenge. I planned to use one softbox for fill, but needed more. I brought in my second strobe and put it on the balcony above the lobby and this bit of creativity seemed to help. I am exposing my photography inexperience here, but it makes me even more determined to learn from this and eventually become a hedgehog master someday.