Family portraits are the kind of pictures you’ll always be taking, whether you’re a photographer or not! There are so many important factors that you can consider in order to get the best photos possible. Here are some tips for shooting family portraits to tell you about all the things you need to know!
1. Get To Know Them
Sometimes you can get your best photos by capturing the family in a more natural state rather than setting them up for a pose right away! It’s a great idea to make sure that the family feels comfortable at the beginning of the shoot so that they start to show you their true selves as the shoot goes on. Getting to know a family and talking to them is a great way to loosen them up and help them feel good about having their photo taken. Have fun with them so that they start having fun!
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
2. Consider Location
It’s a great idea to find a photo location that makes a nice backdrop, but also is not distracting! Some greenery always looks great! If you’re shooting outdoors, it’s a great idea to take advantage of the beautiful natural light, so check out some fun outdoor locations for natural, casual shoots. You can also take advantage of a photo studio for a shoot that is more staged or formal.
3. Find A Theme
Something that can make any shoot more fun is a theme! A theme can be a colour, a prop, an idea, or any factor that gives the family a cohesive and collective look. In this photo, the family has chosen to all wear the same shade of blue. It adds something really special to the photo and it is an easy way to make the photo look like a lot of effort and planning went into it.
4. Get Down To Their Level
If you’re shooting a family with children, encourage the adults to get down to their level! And then you should make sure to get down to their level too! Family portraits come out wonderfully when you are down at eye level with the family. It’s the best angle to take family photos from as you don’t want to be looking down or up at them!
5. Give Everyone Attention
Sometimes in family shoots, the kids often get a lot of the attention. A great tip is to think about how to give every member of the family their own attention! Try playing around with every combination of people! You can do a photo with all the girls, all the boys. You can take one with mom and the kids, and then dad and the kids! Be sure to give the parents some attention too! Have fun with it!
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