Tomorrow I’m going to take some shots of a family of 8. The family includes 4 adults, and 4 kids of 10, 9, 4 and 2 years old. I will be using a gray backdrop. But, I’m curious as to how to position everyone. Open to any ideas. Thank you!
Bring a small step stool or step ladder.
I googled "creative family photo shoots". There are hundreds of ideas listed.
Above all else have fun with the shoot and things will work out fantastic.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Wags wrote:
Tomorrow I’m going to take some shots of a family of 8. The family includes 4 adults, and 4 kids of 10, 9, 4 and 2 years old. I will be using a gray backdrop. But, I’m curious as to how to position everyone. Open to any ideas. Thank you!
As close together as possible. Have Parents turn 45 degrees and right up against each other. I used to provide a stool for Grandma and pose every one around her. I would put 2 year old on her lap and have the 4,9, and 10 year old on each side of her, 45 degrees again and tight, and the rest of adults standing in background.
Focus is on grandma, at least 3 stops down from the minimum f stop (ie. if your lens is a 2.8, then stop down to f8. I would use a wider angle lens like a 35 to 40 mm lens if you have it, 50 will do. Leave a little room on both sides, not much, but enough to allow you to crop if needed.
Take lots of images, the 2 year old is you main watch point, if he/she looks good, BOOM, take the shot, the others are responsible for what they look like.
billnikon wrote:
As close together as possible. Have Parents turn 45 degrees and right up against each other. I used to provide a stool for Grandma and pose every one around her. I would put 2 year old on her lap and have the 4,9, and 10 year old on each side of her, 45 degrees again and tight, and the rest of adults standing in background.
Focus is on grandma, at least 3 stops down from the minimum f stop (ie. if your lens is a 2.8, then stop down to f8. I would use a wider angle lens like a 35 to 40 mm lens if you have it, 50 will do. Leave a little room on both sides, not much, but enough to allow you to crop if needed.
Take lots of images, the 2 year old is you main watch point, if he/she looks good, BOOM, take the shot, the others are responsible for what they look like.
As close together as possible. Have Parents turn 4... (
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Shooting indoors with the gray backdrop will limit your ability to arrange a pleasing group unless it’s larger than 20x10. If it’s not too cold you should take it outdoors. Here’s some examples of groups I did several years ago. Look to create an overall triangular formation with faces on different planes both vertically and horizontally. If you need to stay indoors I suggest utilizing a couch or chair. Start with a single person and build around them one by one.
A helpful tip is to set the backdrop back a bit from the people so that it is softly out of focus for it is the people that you want the viewer's eye drawn to, not the sharp details or wrinkles of the backdrop.
Wags wrote:
Tomorrow I’m going to take some shots of a family of 8. The family includes 4 adults, and 4 kids of 10, 9, 4 and 2 years old. I will be using a gray backdrop. But, I’m curious as to how to position everyone. Open to any ideas. Thank you!
In front of the backdrop.
joecichjr
Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Tomfl101 wrote:
Shooting indoors with the gray backdrop will limit your ability to arrange a pleasing group unless it’s larger than 20x10. If it’s not too cold you should take it outdoors. Here’s some examples of groups I did several years ago. Look to create an overall triangular formation with faces on different planes both vertically and horizontally. If you need to stay indoors I suggest utilizing a couch or chair. Start with a single person and build around them one by one.
Stupendous family portraits 🏆🏆🍀🏆🏆
Wags wrote:
Tomorrow I’m going to take some shots of a family of 8. The family includes 4 adults, and 4 kids of 10, 9, 4 and 2 years old. I will be using a gray backdrop. But, I’m curious as to how to position everyone. Open to any ideas. Thank you!
Your grouping should, of course include the lessons in anatomy and posing handed down for generations - but past that, someone looking at the picture a hundred years from now should see exactly how the relationships you portray work--why on Earth do you want to use a grey backdrop? - one of the lessons we learned fifty years ago is that the green color inherent in outdoor portraits enhance skin color - you certainly don't need to be outside, but a background that creates an afterimage approaching skin color will greatly enhance your portrait.
Wags wrote:
Tomorrow I’m going to take some shots of a family of 8. The family includes 4 adults, and 4 kids of 10, 9, 4 and 2 years old. I will be using a gray backdrop. But, I’m curious as to how to position everyone. Open to any ideas. Thank you!
Pyramid shape with integral triangles. Tallest in rear center, shortest in front on the sides.
User ID wrote:
Bring a small step stool or step ladder.
I would like to suggest perhaps a white or beige curtain draped over a curtain rod. You may wish to have the young ones sitting up front, older ones in the back standing, the most mature on either end.
Make sure you have a good ladder or step stool and take photos of the group from the sides and the middle. For some unique shots, try Monochrome or even film for some archival quality shots. Don’t use wide angle lenses and don’t put the heaviest people on the sides. Good luck.
Steve DeMott wrote:
I googled "creative family photo shoots". There are hundreds of ideas listed.
Above all else have fun with the shoot and things will work out fantastic.
Make sure you have a great conventional version in the bag before you try out any "creative" ideas. The conventional version will be the familys absolute favorite. They are not Hogsters. They dont care so much for bogus "unique artistry".
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