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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Question for the experienced: Poses - Family
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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 05/21/2010 02:37:10 PM · #1
Hi. I have a question for those experienced in photographic families.

The situation:
6 adults, 3 kids.
2 of the adults are grandparents
The ages of the kids are 5, 7, (boys), and 3 (girl).

They want a photo by the seashore. I'm taking them to a beach and a place with lots of rocks and a lighthouse.

The weather will most likely be overcast.

Now, I'm sure its wrong to ask what is the IDEAL pose since that really depends on the family. So, I'll ask:

What are some things to stay away from and look out for when posing this particular group?

I appreciate any comments you can offer. I'll post photos when I'm done. Since I have absolutely no ego to bruise and I am doing this for the pure enjoyment, I'll look for some feedback too. :)

Thanks,
Paul
 05/21/2010 02:48:20 PM · #2
i may not have much to say regarding the posing but if it is overcast definitely use the soft light to your advantage while avoiding a horizon line + blank grey sky background. if you are using ambient light only rocks would make for nice bokeh. if using flash though the large DOF + rocks may leave you with a very busy background.

there was a recent posing thread where someone linked a site about technical details of posing groups (i.e. hand position, clothing, head/eye alignment). ill see if i can find it.

if i were you i would go scout the location first because although without being there you can come up with some traditional, nice-looking poses i prefer poses that are specific to the location so that your subjects are interacting with the background elements rather than standing apart from them. that way it looks more like a natural location portrait and less like you put a group of people against a backdrop.

-Max
 05/21/2010 02:50:37 PM · #3
heres the link to the "techie" posing guide

//www.lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/LightPoseGuideRules.html

much of it is just formalities but i found some of the details very helpful and interesting

-Max
 05/21/2010 02:58:12 PM · #4
I'm not an "experienced" family photographer, but I sometimes play one on DPC ... ;-)

-It's sometimes hard to get that many folks close enough together in the frame.

-The older folks will probably be more comfortable sitting down.

-Overcast day will help get faces lit without inducing squinting.

If there's a beach, I'd seat the grandparents, and have the rest of the group essentially circle them, with the adults in the back and sides, leaning in if necessary, and the kids on their knees around the front.

If the light/shadows are harsher than expected, you might put a reflector on the ground in front of the kids -- silvered windshield protectors or a space/survival blanket are inexpensive options. Consider taking some shots with a fill-flash.

For variation, try taking some shots from a high angle (e.g. a stepladder) with them looking up, or (if you have a good background) some shots from low down.

I believe some portrait photographers shoot in burst mode in case someone blinks.
 05/21/2010 03:15:52 PM · #5
Thanks for the tips.

I have been to this location. I took some photos of my sister and her husband there. Here are a couple examples. THEY ARE NOT GOOD. I did not use a fill flash at the time, and I have learned a lot since. :)



Since then, I've learned and gotten a little better...



The 2nd set are not from the same location I'm going to (obviously).

Message edited by author 2010-05-21 15:16:28.
 05/21/2010 04:24:56 PM · #6
This link is a gold mine ! Very good info that I would never have worked out on my own by simply "viewing" portrait samples !

Thanks.

Originally posted by michaelmonn:
heres the link to the "techie" posing guide

//www.lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/LightPoseGuideRules.html

much of it is just formalities but i found some of the details very helpful and interesting

-Max
05/23/2010 09:31:30 PM · #7
Dont forget the "candid" shots too. I have taken my best portraits when I had the family working on a task... whether it was searching for rocks/shells, building a sand castle, walking hand in hand, etc. just ideas to run past you.
05/23/2010 11:08:32 PM · #8
Definitely. I attempted some candids today...not as good as I hoped. Some people take better candid than others I have found. I'll be posting some soon. I'm actually looking at them now. The worst thing....it ended up being sunny. At 3:30 PM, the light was VERY hard to deal with.
 05/23/2010 11:21:35 PM · #9
Make them all stand on their heads together....you get some great shots of them trying at least...lmao!
 05/23/2010 11:21:42 PM · #10
Double post.

Message edited by author 2010-05-23 23:21:52.
 05/23/2010 11:30:23 PM · #11
Look carefully through these most akward family photos and do the opposite. Look at what these truly horrible images have in common, and you will have heard a cautionary tale. Some image collections are lighthouses, guiding you to safe harbor. These are bouies, warning you clear of wrecks and reefs that will crush you.
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