Discover essential techniques on posing, lighting, and location scouting and master family portraits with this video from Westcott and Westcott Pro Michele Celentano.
Location Scouting for Family Portraits
When scouting for shooting locations, it’s important to remember a few key things!
Understanding Light Direction - Mastering the use of light is an essential piece of creating family portraits. When scouting shooting locations pay attention to the direction of natural light and how you can leverage it in your images.
Evaluating Backgrounds - Look for compelling backgrounds and texture, color, and depth. Often when shooting portraits your background will be out of focus so look for backgrounds that will blur aesthetically while not taking away from subjects.
Perfecting Posing Techniques
Building the Group Portrait - Michele recommends starting with individual portraits and working up to a group in the same location for background consistency in a set of images
Engaging with Children - Photographing children can be difficult but Michele finds that asking about their favorite sports or making funny faces helps loosen up their facial muscles, resulting in genuine smiles.
Posing for Full-Length Portraits - Avoid stiff and unnatural poses with dynamic positioning and adjust your camera height to waist level of the subjects ensures proportional and flattering full-length shots!
Maximizing the Use of Photography Equipment
Leveraging Tripods - Tripods will improve your workflow and consistency allowing you to move around and work with your subjects without losing your composition. “When you’re handheld, especially outside and working with a group, posing and moving in and out, even if you have a spider belt or a strap that you’re wearing, every time you change something,
Utilizing Off-Camera Flash Lighting - Supplement natural lighting with off-camera flash such as Westcott’s FJ400 Strobe and a modifier, like the Rapid Box Switch Octa–M softbox which are available at Cleveland and Nashville's camera store, Pixel Connection!
Creating a Professional Workflow
Pre-Shoot Preparation for Family Photos - Being prepared is important. Scout locations ahead of time, considering the time of day and position of the sun. This way you won’t be surprised by the lighting on the day of the shoot!
Efficient Group Posing - Efficiency is essential when photographing families. Build up to large group shots so you don’t have to start over with each photo. As the number of people in the shot increases, bring your light closer to the subject for a softer, broader light.