It is essential to put some forethought into the composition of your family portrait.
The purpose of a good family photograph is to capture a special time in your life with the people you love the most in the world. Think of it as a still-life meant for you and yours to treasure for generations to come. So if you are planning a family portrait, you must put some forethought into its composition in order to capture the true essence of your family.
Location
Find a location beloved to you and your family for your portrait sitting, such as a beach, park or your backyard.
Family portraits have come a long way since the days of posing in a studio. Today's photographer has taken creative license and turned the ordinary family portrait into one that captures more than just the family posing in front of a flat, lifeless background. Nowadays the photographer invites the family to step out of the studio and step into more familiar areas of their life, having them pose in places where they feel more at home. By selecting a unique location, you essentially add another family member to the photograph. Whether the family stands along the old, winding staircase of their home, perches on the dock of the lake nestled in their backyard, cuddles up on the couch, sprawls out on a picnic blanket on the grass or in the bleachers of their favorite sporting event, location can be as much a part of the family portrait as Mom and Dad.
Pets
Your family portrait won't feel complete without your furry friend.
Another great way to give your family portrait poses warmth and depth is to add your furry friends into the mix. Pets are often counted as another member of the family and bring joy into family life, so opt to include them in a pose or two. Consider the personality of your pet as it relates to your family, and incorporate that into the pose. For instance, if you have a large dog that thinks he's more of a lap-dog, try posing him on someone's lap. Or if you have a cat that loves to kiss, invite her to do so for the sake of another great family photo.
Close-ups
The close-up shares more about the people you are shooting.
If you wish to create a family photograph that captures the closeness of your family, zoom in tight to a close-up shot of your pose. Close-ups literally create an up close and personal feel to the photograph, delving deeper into your family's story. While the wide shot captures more of where you are shooting, the close-up shares more about the people you are shooting. Another great way to create closeness in a photograph is to have family members look at one another. For example, capture a child peeking at his mother or a wife and husband gazing at one another.
In-between Poses
Keep your lens at the ready for some creative in-between-poses shots.
While capturing the family in the perfect pose creates a memorable shot, some of the best family portraits are those taken between poses. Since the main purpose of shooting a family portrait is to capture a feeling of warmth and closeness, you might look out for those endearing interactions between family members in between poses: Grandma kissing the baby, Dad stooping to tie his 5-year-old son's shoe, Mom freshening up her lipstick, siblings sharing secrets or the family dog licking your daughter's face. Those are the real-life, spontaneous poses that can't be recreated. So keep your lens focused on what's going on in between poses, and don't be afraid to zoom in close. That's usually where the best shots lie.
Tags: family portrait, your family, between poses, about people, about people shooting
