Family pictures (Page 2): Beware, if they want the family pets included. They will pick the shot where the family pet looks good and they ignore the expression on everyone else's face.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

al13 wrote:

I don’t do family photos or group shots but have been asked by my family to shoot pictures for a small family reunion. I have a great location but need some guidance. There will be eleven adults and four children. Should the group pictures show feet up or chest high? I can get candid pictures during their stay but it’s the group shots that I have no experience with. I have a great barn and pond for a backdrop as long as the weather cooperates. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Beware, if they want the family pets included. They will pick the shot where the family pet looks good and they ignore the expression on everyone else's face. Happens every time.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

al13 wrote:

Thanks to all, will shoot chest up and full bodies and let them decide what they want. Slightly turning bodies sounds good too. Eleven adults will not be a problem lens wise with my 16 to 80. Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

Good plan, no reason not to do both, and think about fill in flash as an option. Depending upon lighting tripod could be a good or a bad idea.

CO

Here's a great book to get. It's: Portrait Photography from Snapshots to Great Shots by Erik Valind. Most of the book concentrates on photographing people outdoors. They also discuss using flash and reflectors outdoors. They show how to crop photos of people - the do's and don'ts about cropping. I like the book a lot. Barnes & Noble bookstores carry the book.

(Download)

traderjohn Loc: New York City

dsmeltz wrote:

A lot of this depends on the size of the group, the location, weather, the number of small children (if any) etc...

Simply not enough info here to give any useful advice.

maninablackhat Loc: Louisiana

If it is your brother's family, I would suggest talking over the poses with him before hand and having him assist with rounding up the people. If you don't do a lot of groups-fifteen is a small group-you may be amazed. It can be like hearing crawfish.

maninablackhat Loc: Louisiana

Should be herding crawfish. Good suggestions from everyone else.

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Start your group with the family matriarch or patriarch. Place them near the center of your group. Hopefully the ground is dry so you can have people sitting and standing. Add family members one at a time while keeping heads dis-aligned so no face is stacked on top of each other or on the same plane horizontally if possible. Look to create triangular formations for the most pleasing result. See my groups below and imagine adding people one at a time to make your group of 15. Use the longest lens possible at a wide aperture to help separate the group from the background. Focus carefully!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

al13 wrote:

I don’t do family photos or group shots but have been asked by my family to shoot pictures for a small family reunion. I have a great location but need some guidance. There will be eleven adults and four children. Should the group pictures show feet up or chest high? I can get candid pictures during their stay but it’s the group shots that I have no experience with. I have a great barn and pond for a backdrop as long as the weather cooperates. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Variety! Up close and far away. Lots of the old, old family group pictures I have show head to toe, and that looks good. Of course, I also have lots of close-ups.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I agree that taking both is a great idea and let them decide after the fact. One thing I have found to work is positioning yourself up a little higher than the group. It makes it easier to get clear face shots and will show just a little more of anyone in a second row. People get restless after a few minutes so set up your shot before bringing everyone in for the shoot.

Steamboat

Tomfl101 wrote:

Start your group with the family matriarch or patr... (show quote)

These are wonderful! How long have you been shooting families and portraits ? ........professionally I assume.

leftj Loc: Texas

dsmeltz wrote:

A lot of this depends on the size of the group, the location, weather, the number of small children (if any) etc...

Simply not enough info here to give any useful advice.

What part of "11 adults and 4 children" do you not understand?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

leftj wrote:

What part of "11 adults and 4 children" do you not understand?

Please go back and read the FULL thread, I already apologized and corrected. At least I now know that I am not hte only one who speaks before reading.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

dsmeltz wrote:

Please go back and read the FULL thread, I already apologized and corrected. At least I now know that I am not hte only one who speaks before reading.

LOL.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Another helpful thought. To offset someone blinking and messing up a good shot, if children are old enough to comply, suggest everyone close their eyes, open them on the count of three and get 2-3 shots immediately. This has reduced redos of church groups considerably.

leftj Loc: Texas

dsmeltz wrote:

Please go back and read the FULL thread, I already apologized and corrected. At least I now know that I am not hte only one who speaks before reading.

Threads can go on for pages. You didn't even read the original post.