Group Portraits

How to - Tips & Tricks

By Mike Giovinazzo

© All rights Reserved

Getting Started

People don’t like to be kept waiting so think ahead about some of the following aspects of your photo: ◦ scope out the location of your shot before hand◦ think ahead about how you will pose people and

frame your shot◦ make sure your camera and flash are ready and

on, plus batteries are charged … ◦ make sure everyone you want in the shot knows

you want them a few minutes ahead of time

Prepare

Location provides context◦ Eg shot of a sporting team on their playing field

Consider distractions ◦ Choose a position where your group will fit, ◦ Where there is enough light for the shot ◦ Few distractions in the background◦ Avoid setting up in front of a window:

flash might reflect back

Location Selection

Avoid the problems of not everyone looking just right

Consider continuous shooting mode ◦ Find first shot is often no good but that the one or

two directly after it often give a group that looks a little less posed and more relaxed.

Mix up the framing of your shots a little ◦ Zoom: use wide focal length and some tighter

Take Multiple Shots

Fill the frame◦ Try to get as close as you can

(without cutting some members out of course)◦ The closer you can get the more detail you’ll have

in their faces – something that really lifts a shot a lot.

BUT … allow for standard crop ratios◦ 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 or 8 x 10

Get in Close

4 x 6 5 x 7.5 8 x 12

Tripods communicate you’re serious

Can help you get their attention

Gives you more freedom to be involved in the creation of the posing of your subjects.

Permits for a cable release … less closed eyes

Use a Tripod

Especially with large groups an assistant can be very handy to get the group organized

Also incredibly handy if you are taking multiple group shots

Can ensure you have everyone needed in each shot.

Can intervene to place hair, straighten ties, adjust a gown …

Consider an Assistant

Posing Details

Photographers can lose control by not communicating with their subjects◦ let them know what you want them to do◦ tell them that they look great and ◦ how much longer you’ll need them ◦ motivate them to smile and be engaged◦ keep people feeling relaxed and having fun

‘If you can see the camera it can see you’. ◦ Very useful for mirrors

Take Control

The first simple step toward improving your family portraits is to have people TURN.◦ They say “Cameras add 10 pounds” … where the

subject's body is straight on One shoulder closer to the camera than the

other, creates a more interesting image, and makes your subjects look slimmer.◦ the subject's head is no longer squared off with the

shoulders. With the subject's body is angled, they must

turn their head to look at the camera ◦ result is a more appealing

Make Angles

When you're posing a group for a family portrait, try to arrange the heads of your subjects so that they form triangles.

Geometric shapes like triangles create photos that have more visual appeal.

Placing your family into a tight-knit triangle also brings the group together, which creates less empty "dead" space between each person's body.

Have more than three family members?◦ Just create sub-groups of triangles until you've got

everyone properly arranged.

Think Triangles

Start with one person/couple as the base or middle of the pyramid

Arrange the rest around the base to form a large triangular shape. ◦ Use chairs, step stools or other props to help you

naturally create a triangular shape.◦ Direct contact such as hands on shoulders conveys

closeness.

With on camera flash, people in the back rows need to be a FULL head taller than people in front

Consider a Pyramid

So simple … have them tilt their heads together.◦ The mere act of tilting heads ensures that every

person's body is not straight up and down. It also creates an immediate feeling of

intimacy.◦ Helps make them part of the group

Heads just a fraction of an inch closer, makes family portrait comes together◦ doesn't look like a group of strangers all standing

next to each other

Tilt Heads

Make your family portraits more engaging and interesting by having some people sit and others stand

Keeping in mind the triangles ◦ find natural locations - park bench, large boulder

Works well for photos of grandparents and kids◦ Grandparents can sit down and be comfortable

while the children can be wrangled into position around them

◦ Should offer a nice juxtaposition of age and youth

Sit and Stand

Hands create all sorts of problems when you're trying to pose for family portraits.◦ Most people can't decide what to do with them◦ Hands can add a lot of visual clutter

The simplest solution then is to have people put their hands in positions that effectively hide them from view.◦ Have men fold their arms◦ Women can place them in their laps◦ Pockets are a great solution for kids of all ages◦ If showing: just see the edge; fingers extended

Hide Those Hands

Another way of reflecting the closeness of a parent and child is to have them look at each other or a common point◦ Direct eye contact conveys familiarity and bonding◦ Both looking at some common point conveys a

shared interest

Infants: schedule the shot for when the baby is normally sleeping. ◦ Have one adult hold the baby below chest level and

look down at the baby in a caring manner. ◦ Take shots at several different angles.

Posing One Adult and One Child

Groups may pose themselves naturally ◦ we’ve all done it before - Tall people will go to the back …

If event is centered around one or two people (wedding, birthday) make them the central focal point by putting them right in the middle of the group◦ Variation: everyone looking at the camera at the

person/couple Larger Groups

◦ Put taller members not only towards the back of the group but centered with shorter people on the edges of the group

◦ Do not make the group too ‘deep’ (keep everyone in focus)◦ Tell everyone to raise their chins a little – avoids double chins

Posing a Larger Groups

Lighting and Props

To get detail you need sufficient light◦ varies from situation to situation ◦ consider using a flash

especially if the main source of light is coming from behind the group.

On bright sunny day with the sun low:avoid positioning it directly behind you or you’ll end up with a collection of squinting faces in your shot.

Think about Lighting

Avoid having one person’s shadow fall onto important details of another person

Easiest option is to get the light to shine or bounce onto the faces of your subjects

If indoors using ambient or natural light, make sure the light is hitting everyone evenly◦ “Butterfly Lighting” is attractive

Keep studio lights a bit further away ◦ Help to make the light fall off is more even

Light the Whole Group Evenly

Aim for “Storybook Portraits.” ◦ A shared activity which can incorporate a book,

a favorite toy, etc. Have them all look at each other.

◦ For babies, have one family member get the baby’s attention and everyone else look at the baby.

Plan an event◦ E.g. Take families to the beach and bring along

some bread. Feeding the ducks becomes the perfect storybook alternative.

Let Them Tell You a Story

Props help subjects use their hands

They add a visual element

Can be used to tell a story

Useful ideas for families◦ Balloons, balls◦ Dolls, Toys, Books ◦ Scarfs, blankets◦ Stuffed animals◦ Bubbles

“Prop” up your images

Yes YOU should smile!

Have fun and enjoy the process of getting your shots

Relax

Thank You