Family Studio Shoots

[mattchewone]

I am after some help here, I am studying portraits and studio flash in my college course this Wednesday evening. I have also been asked to do a couple family shoots for friends. But i need to plan everything before I feel I can do anything my brain goes into melt down if I don't have it all written down.

I spoke to my teacher last week and she says I should really get into some freelance work but I don't feel ready.

I'd like some help on how get people relaxed so I can help them be natural and get them into comfortable positions. But I don't know where to start with posing for groups, or couples. I don't know much about using props and shooting at the right angles to make people look at there best. So I'd really love some help on this please it's been bugging me for ages.

Many thanks
Matt

 

[pontyphoto]

Just make small talk and hopefully you will find something that you have in common. Shoot with a
50mm lens. Best thing to do with a family is to have them sat on the floor legs to the side. Adults can be holding kids if they are small enough. Evenly lit with small soft boxes and a white background .

 

[Kemble3]

Forget the boring white background, its been so done to death. Get your creative head on, look at some of the great family portraiture and here (and other resources ) and think outside the box. Don't limit yourself to a just 50mm as you can get equally great results from a whole host of lenses.

Outdoor shoots can work so well and I find some families are far more relaxed away from the studio environment. If you have to shoot in a studio, simply talk to your clients, explain what you are trying to achieve, and stay focused, if they see you getting flustered, this will rub off on them.

Good like with the shoots, and have fun.

Ian

 

[PhotoEntrepreneu]

Hi Matt

There are some standards that work well and then you can rift off them.

1: Mum and Dad on the floor, kids on laps then..
kids behind arms around Mum & Dad , Kids then on shoulders of M&D, Then crawling under arms and legs of M&D.. M&D dont need to move much in any of these.

2: Lying on stomachs, Kids next to, then under M&D arms, then on top. M&D shake kids off.

3: Standing up. M&D hold each other, kids climb, kids run. etc...

The trick is to set up a pose that you know will lead to some kind of interaction between the subjects. You can shout "now cuddle" or "tickle" or "no smiling" which normally get a laugh.

I would use the 17-85mm no the 50mm if I was shooting a family at speed. Don't make the shoot too long (30 mins max)and keep everyone moving. DOnt worry to much if you muck up a shot, just move onto the next one and keep the pace going.

Good luck

Olly

 

[mattchewone]

Thanks for all your replies!

I will try some indoor shots but if I'm not happy and the weather is good I'll go into the garden if I can find a good backdrop in the garden.

If not what sort of places are good for outdoor shots, I've only seen a few autumn ones on her but that was just kids in forest. I don't really know of many nice places to go for photos.

Hopefully go over some bits in tonight's lesson. Will be doing a few shots so will post up my portraits later.