5 Tips - Get a great Family Photo

There are some very good reasons to learn how to take family portraits, and you don't have to be professional photographer to do so!

 If you are taking a portrait of your family, you have to be in it too! So be sure to use a camera with a timer or remote shutter button release.

Without further ado, here are some tips to help you get started taking memorable family portraits, whether formal or informal.

1. Avoid the "Line Up" Portrait - Instead of lining everyone up shoulder to shoulder, try a more natural arrangement that also makes it easier to to fit a bunch of people into one picture.

Staggering is one technique that works well for group photos. For example, you might stagger the family members on the front steps of a porch or around a pond, with some family members standing and others sitting. If in a park, two siblings might sit on a low hanging branch of a tree or all could sit on the lawn grouped together. Show family closeness by spacing members close together.

2. Show Relationships - You can do this by the way in which you have people pose in the portrait. For example, Grandma and Grandpa might stand next to each, a toddler could be in Mother's arms, two siblings might have arms over each others shoulders...

3. Consider Including the Family Pets - assuming they hold still long enough!

4. Get Creative with Objects - depending upon the type of portrait you want. Does the family do any activities or sports like community baseball? Each family member could hold a mitt, ball or bat. This is a trend with individual portraiture that can be fun for families too.

5. Get Everyone Smiling - Instead of just saying "cheese," put the family at ease by talking to them: compliment, tell a story joke around, and soon they won't be so nervous about the photographing and their smiles will become more relaxed and real. When you've got the smiles and pose, ask the family to hold them until you give the signal that your camera's got the shot.

Finally if you want a family photo taken by a Professional, give me a ring!