Posing and dressing are key elements of family portraits.
Family portraits are the perfect way to chronicle a moment in time shared by you and your loved ones. These sometimes goofy, sometimes elegant portraits are a way of preserving this memory for years and years to come. If you are a photographer looking for the perfect shot your subject will treasure forever, there are some basic guidelines and styles you can try.
Theme-Coordinated Clothing
Having members of a family dress in theme-coordinated clothing might sound campy, but it actually helps to unify the photo. If the members of the family are dressed in ways that are inconsistent, as in one is wearing a Christmas sweater, while another is wearing a t-shirt, this will stand out in the photo more than the smiling faces. The family's clothing does not have to be matching, it simply needs to be in the same color scheme, use the same fabric choices or be the right style of garment. For example, it would look odd if one member of the family is dressed formally, while another is wearing jeans.
Get in Closer
Perhaps the first rule of posing a family portrait is to get in closer. If the family members are too far apart from each other, the background will come into focus and may distract in the photo. If possible, try blurring the background so the family stays in the forefront of the photo. When posing for family portraits, family members should be grouped together to symmetrically and evenly fill space in the photos.
Have Fun
Family portraits are more than just a picture of a family---they are an indication as to who that family is. Try having fun with the photo's setting and posing. There is no need to have the family stoic or smiling in a forced fashion with a solid black background. Take the family outside, give them props, encourage them to cut loose and have fun. This will help the smiles to seem more real and will give the viewer a sense of the family's spirit.
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