5 Photography Portrait Tips

Feb 23
08:34

2010

Autumn Lockwood

Autumn Lockwood

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If you'd like to learn how you can take better family pictures, then find out how you can go from taking a police line up group picture to a photo you'll be proud to display. By learning these simple 5 tips your family portraits are sure to be crowd pleasers.

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There are some very good reasons to learn how to take family portraits,5 Photography Portrait Tips Articles and you don't have to be embarking on a photography career to do so. Having portraits taken professionally can sometimes be too expensive for many families. And sometimes, it can be impossible to get everyone to the studio at the appointed time.

Every family deserves to have at least one nice portrait together and as a family grows and ages, it's nice to have additional portraits done too. If you are a photography hobbyist you probably know others who would love to have you take their family portraits, but don't forget your own family! If you are taking a portrait of your own family, make sure to be in it too! So be sure to use a camera with a timer or remote shutter button release.

If you are new to photography learning how to take family portraits will also give you the opportunity to learn and practice other skills, such as taking that group picture at Thanksgiving or a team picture after the game.

Without further ado, here are some tips to help you get started taking memorable family portraits, whether formal or informal.

1) Avoid the "Police Line Up" Portrait – Instead of having them all line up shoulder to shoulder, try something more natural looking and that also makes it easier to get a big family into the picture.

Staggering is one such technique. For example, you may want to stagger family members on the front steps of a porch or around a group of boulders so some family members are standing and others sitting. If in a park, two siblings might sit on a low hanging branch of a tree or all could sit on the lawn clustered together. Show family closeness by spacing members close together.

2) Show Relationships – You can do this by the way in which you have people pose in the portrait. For example, Grandma and Grandpa might stand next to each, a toddler could be in Mother's arms, two siblings might have arms slung over each others shoulders, etc.

3) Consider Including the Family Pets – assuming they hold still long enough. Even if the pet is sitting still, you probably should raise the Shutter Speed Priority to 1/125 because even the smallest movement can cause a blur. It is much easier to take a portrait of an individual with a pet or a pet separately, but if the family has a mellow dog or cat, try some family portrait poses with and without.

4) Get Creative with Props – depending upon the type of portrait you want. Does the family play community baseball? Each family member could hold a mitt, ball or bat. This is popular for individual portraiture that works well for family portraits too.

5) Get Everyone Smiling – Instead of just saying "cheese," put the family at ease (no rhyme intended) by talking to them: compliment, tell a story joke around, and soon they won't be so nervous about the photographing and their smiles will become more relaxed and real. When you've got everyone posed and smiling, ask the family to hold them until you give them the signal that you got the shot.

Finally, have fun taking lots of pictures so the family can choose their favorite. You're sure to get some great shots where the family will be excited to frame them for all to see.