A family portrait is one of the best treasures that one can have. Therefore, shooting one that captures the essence of the family is a major responsibility. Family portraits provide enough opportunity for creativity by accommodating the opportunities that enable the photographer to think out of the box.
A family portrait holds a lot of memories. With time, a family welcomes new members and some may pass on, but the portrait becomes a fond memory not only of the members but also the moment they shared when the picture was taken.
Let’s take a look at some of the best tips to help you capture stunning family portraits.
Choose the Location Wisely
Choosing the location for the family portrait can be quite tricky. It is wise to let the family choose the location. Usually, a location that is of utmost significance to the family is a good choice. Additionally, the family is also required to factor in the attendance of all the members. Therefore, choosing the location should be entirely up to them.
You can consider suggesting the outdoors for the family portrait. There is a variety of background ideas that you can choose from among for shooting outdoor family portraits.
Communicate Well With your Client
Effective communication is key to make the family portraits stand out. It will help you relate more to the emotions, the family jokes and so on. This will enable you to capture these in the photographs well. Communicating with your clients regularly from the day the shoot is scheduled will enable you to understand their requirements, concerns etc. properly. As a result, you will be able to develop a comfort level with your clients. This will ease your task considerably.
The Camera Settings Matter
A narrow aperture between f/8 and f/11 should be optimal to get everyone in focus in the picture. A slightly long shutter speed will compensate perfectly for the narrow aperture.
With children in the frame, you may need a slightly fast shutter speed since children move quickly and unpredictably. A shutter speed of 1/250th may be optimal in such situations.
Choosing the right ISO setting for the family portrait photograph is important. You can consider increasing the ISO a little to ensure that the image has enough light. To be safe, you can start with auto ISO and then change the settings as you gain experience. You can also set the white balance to auto mode. Any problems regarding this can be corrected in post-processing.
Use the Right Accessories
In addition to your camera, it is wise to carry a tripod to ensure that the photographs are razor sharp. Additionally, it also helps you focus more on the image and make eye-contact with the subjects. Carrying a tripod enables you to slow down and lay more stress on the settings. This will ensure that the picture looks perfect. You can also consider carrying a remote shutter release.
Carry more than one lens with you. A wide angle lens is a must-have for capturing the group photos. Additionally, extra batteries are also necessary to keep the photo session going without interruption.
Apart from these, you can suggest the family to carry props that will make them feel more at home at the location. If there are kids in the group, giving them something to do with the props can produce some great candid photographs. Balloons, toys etc. can work as wonderful props.
Arranging People
One of the most important aspects of shooting a family portrait is arranging the people in a way that makes the picture look perfect. A balanced shot is one that has the people arranged in a way that makes the different levels in height look harmonious and visually engaging.
The older members of the family should be seated. The tall ones should be placed behind everyone in group shots. Children naturally add a different level to the shot. Everyone’s face should be clearly visible. Additionally, there should not be too much distance among the family members. Everyone should be arranged in a way that adds a cozy feeling to the portrait.
It is also important to refine your basic photography skills to ensure that there is no technical error in the image. If you live in Dubai, you can consider enrolling in photography classes in Dubai for this purpose.
Tristan Taylor
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