Are you tired of stiff, awkward family photos where everyone is standing unnaturally and smiling like they just got their braces tightened? Fear not, because with these posing techniques, you’ll be capturing natural, candid shots that will make you want to shout “cheese” from the mountaintops!
The first and most important thing to remember when posing families is to keep it fun and relaxed. Encourage them to interact with each other and not focus too much on the camera. And don’t be afraid to get a little silly – it’s amazing what a tickle fight or a game of leapfrog can do to bring out genuine smiles. Especially with small children, the more they are focused on the game, the less likely they are to be afraid of the camera or lights.
Another key to great family poses is variety. You want to capture a range of shots, including full-body, mid-range, and close-up shots. Mix up the poses too, so you don’t end up with a bunch of nearly identical shots. Have some standing, some sitting, some leaning, and some hugging. The more variety you have, the better your chances of getting those natural, candid shots you’re after. A great tip is to have their heads closer together, but it will take some trial and error to find the right angle and spot to make that happen.
When it comes to camera settings, keep in mind that you’ll want a wide aperture (f/2.8 or f/4) to create a shallow depth of field, which will help blur the background and bring the focus onto your subjects. This can create a beautiful, dreamy effect that is perfect for family portraits.
Now, let’s talk about some specific poses you can try out. The classic family photo pose is the “staggered pyramid,” where everyone stands in a pyramid shape with the tallest person in the back and the shortest person in the front. But don’t be afraid to mix it up – try having everyone sit on a blanket or couch, or have them lean against a tree or wall. You can also try to make the location of the heads “zig zag” instead of being in a straight line across the photo.
And when it comes to those individual shots, encourage your subjects to be themselves. If someone loves to dance, let them dance! If someone is shy, give them some space to be alone and contemplative. This may mean you break out your longest telephoto lens to capture it. The goal is to capture everyone’s unique personalities in a way that feels natural and authentic.
Finally, don’t forget to use props and accessories to add some personality and flair to your family photos. Try hats, scarves, or even silly glasses to bring out everyone’s fun side.
Go ahead, get silly, and don’t forget to say “cheese” – or “cheddar” if you’re feeling particularly cheesy!
