Family Portraits: Do’s and Don’ts

Cover Photo Credits: collection from Designer @newmiuz
Photographer - Nathaniel Riley, Designer - New Miuz PS Pawan,
Make up and hair - Vianne Ho Young, Sajbeena Latma,
Model - Mike Krogh, Kelli Kickham, michelle morley

 Stay In Touch

Communication is the key success of any deed. When it comes to scheduling a family portrait with the client, it is no different. Always stay in touch with your client and inform him/her immediately should any changes arise. Remind them a week before the photoshoot about the date, time and the location of the shoot. Follow up once again the day before the shoot. Failure to communicate with the client might result not only in dissatisfaction from both sides but also might lead to monetary losses, present (studio deposits, rental equipment) and future ( rescheduling a photoshoot usually means taking the time away from future potential clients).

Make The Family Unique

Usually when the client is contacting you to do a family photoshoot, that client is a person who cares deeply about his family and wants to capture every moment of it. The uniqueness of the moment goes as far as the uniqueness of the family. If it is a family of musicians, it might be great to have musical instruments as props on the set or even capture the family playing as an ensemble. When communicating with client about various ideas for the photoshoot try to get to know the family and it traits. After all the best photos are with models being in most comfortable and confident situations. And that is what you would want to set up.  

 Wardrobe Selection

As was already mentioned in the previous section, when the client feels most comfortable and confident the client will look great on photos. Many times your clients will ask for your guidance in a wardrobe selection. The point is to have them dressed in the outfit that will coincide the most with their personality and thus bring them comfort. Depending on a theme of a photoshoot make sure the family will not wear alike looking outfits to unintentionally blend in. Clothes with logos or a text on it might drag to much attention out of models and be destructive. Have each family member bring at least two sets of clothes – classic and casual. At the very begging of photoshoot, when everyone is tense and a bit shy, starting from the formal classic outfits will be a good idea. As the time passes by, your models get relaxed and being dressed in casual outfits will get them in the zone mood.

 

Technical Aspects

Photographing a group might one tricky since it there are so many subjects that need to be in focus and not distorted. Keeping in mind that the group family photos are the one that probably will be framed and proudly hung on walls, it is very important not to screw it up the first time! Here are some technical tips on how to adjust your camera.

1. Use wide lens 24- 70mm in order to keep everyone in focus.
2. If possible, place all members of the group into a single row, parallel to your camera so everybody will be at the same distance. Avoid forming other positions like a circle in order to avoid having troubles keeping everybody in focus.
3. Ask everyone to get close to each other. You do not want to end up with large gaps in your shots.
4. Keep your ISO low. When shooting in the studio you do not need to bump it up so keep it at 100 setting.
5. Have everyone with the eyes open and say CHEEEEEEEESEEEEE. (ok, maybe this one is not that important but have everyone tuned in to your command in order to get the photoshoot into an accord).