Large family shoot.

[bass_junkie83]

I have just had an enquiry come through for a large family shoot, 12 people in total.

This is a lot bigger than anything i have done before. Lighting i'm not worried about, that i can handle.
What i am thinking more about is space and backgrounds.

My current space is far too small, but i have a very suitable space that i can hire which will be ample, but i'm not sure about backgrounds. I have a 3m background support frame, will i get 12 people on this without it looking cramped?

Any suggestions on how best to tackle this would be great!

 

[Eighth Avenue]

We have a 2.72m background and shot a group of 12 last year, we were using a clean white backdrop and used PP to fill the spaces when people spilled off the paper. In all honesty it wasn't a comfortable shoot and I'd probably say you're better off taking a hit and hiring a studio

Iain

 

[Marcus Geezer]

How's about taking them in small relaxed groups on a blown background then using PP to make one large panoramic shot, where it just looks like they were standing in groups and had the picture taken all in one go?

 

[Garry Edwards]

I was a speaker at a trade seminar in Edinburgh last year and listened in to another seminar from an event photographer (because I didn't have to pay).
He arranged I think 15 people against a smaller background than that with no problem at all.
Mind you, the background was black, which helped, and it also helps if all the subjects are friends because close together is an understatement - but it can be done, and the result was a good, dynamic fun shot.

I can't remember exactly who it was, but I think either Paul Rogers or Mike Weeks, if you want to check their websites you may find similar examples.