Family portraits are some of the most important photographs you can take; they capture the special relationships between generations. You want special family portrait images to be the best they possibly can, both technically and emotionally. After all, these photos are a way of capturing the magic of all those special times in life, for you to look back on in the future.
One of the best ways of getting those high quality family shots that you need is to hire a professional like Meredith Zinner to do the job. Experts like Meredith have the training and experience required to know how to capture the moment perfectly. Here are some of the tips and tricks they use to get those amazing shots.
Location and positioning
If you want to take natural and effective family portrait photos then it is a good idea to make the subjects feel at home. Ideally, they should be able to choose a location for the shoot that is familiar to them and where they can feel relaxed. A shady park with some incredible looking trees is an excellent choice of location. This is especially the case if children are involved as they have freedom to be themselves and play.
Once you have chosen a location, you need to think about positioning. Shots from above can give a whole different perspective; you can ask people to lie on the ground and look up then take the shot from a ladder looking down. One of the most important things to remember is to make sure that the subjects of the portrait are comfortable in the locations and positions for the shoot.
What to wear
One of the most important things to ensure is that everyone in the shot is comfortable in what they are wearing; you are unlikely to get the best results otherwise. Whether you want people to wear more formal or casual clothing depends on what you want to achieve from the final result. As far as colors go, pastels are often popular with professional photographers. They harmonize well together and are not too jarring. It is a good idea to get people to avoid wearing clothing containing prominent logos or too much pattern, as these can be distracting.
Taking great group photographs
Many family portrait photographs include larger groups of people, and you need to make sure that you capture everyone in focus and looking their best. Here are a few quick tips to help you make this happen:
Consider using a wider lens when necessary, but do not be tempted to go too wide, a mid-range lens like 24-70mm is generally good.
- Try to fit a group on the same line and plane, directly parallel to the camera, if you can.
- Make sure everyone is close together so you do not have gaps.
- Try and capture everyone with their eyes open. You may want to ask people to close their eyes and open them on your count of three; this can help.
