5 Photography Tips for Taking Portraits
There are some very good reasons to learn how to take family portraits, and you don't have to be embarking on a photography career to do so. Having portraits professionally done can be just too expensive for many families. And sometimes, it can be impossible to get everyone to the studio at the appointed time.
Every family deserves to have at least one good family portrait displayed together with a nice picture frame. But, it's even better to have additional portraits taken as the family grows and ages. If you want to learn how to take portraits, learn by taking a portrait of your family or someone you know who would love to have a family portrait! If you are taking a portrait of your family, you have to be in it too! So be sure to use a camera with a remote shutter button release and a timer.
If you are new to photography learning how to take family portraits will also give you the opportunity to learn and practice other skills, such as taking that group picture at Thanksgiving or a team picture after the game.
So, here are some tips to help you get started taking great (formal or informal) family portraits.
1) Avoid the "Police Line Up" Portrait – Instead of lining everyone up shoulder to shoulder, try a more natural arrangement that also makes it easier to to fit a bunch of people into one picture.
Staggering is one technique that works well for group photos. For example, you might stagger the family members on the front steps of a porch or on and around boulders near a pond, with some family members standing and others sitting. If in a park, you could sit everyone on the lawn clustered together or have them sit on a bench. Show family togetherness by spacing relatively close together. And by staggering the group, it will make it easier to display the picture in a 8x10 picture frame or even something larger like a 11x14 picture frame.
2) Show Relationships – You can do this with placement in the family portrait poses. For example, Grandma and Grandpa might stand next to each, a toddler could be in Mother's arms, two siblings might have arms slung over each others shoulders, etc.
3) Consider Including the Family Pets – assuming they hold still long enough. Even if the pet is sitting still, you probably should raise the Shutter Speed Priority to 1/125 because even the smallest movement can cause a blur. It is always easier to take an individual portrait of a someone with their pet (or even a pet separately), but if the family has a mellow dog or cat, try to take some poses with and without the family pet.
4) Get Creative with Props – depending on the type of portrait you want. Does the family play community baseball? Each family member could hold a ball, bat or mitt. This is popular for individual portraiture that works well for family portraits too.
5) Get Everyone Smiling – Instead of just saying "cheese," put the family at ease (no rhyme intended) by talking to them: compliment, tell a story joke around, and soon they won't be so nervous about the photographing and their smiles will become more relaxed and real. When you've got the smiles and pose, ask the family to hold them until you give the signal that your camera's got the shot.
Finally, make it fun and take lots of shots, so the family can choose the best. You're sure to get some great shots where the family will be excited to frame them for all to see.
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