When taking photos for the whole family, you will need to think of ways to reduce stress. Why? Taking a family photoshoot is a challenging task. However, when done right, it can capture the best in each family member and bring out a smile in everybody. This makes family photoshoots a very rewarding endeavor.
Unfortunately, there can be very little chances to give the family the heads up to dress in matching outfits. And all of them have be squeezed into the photo shoot in at the last minute. Of course, there is no substitute for a well-planned family photo shoot, but sometimes there is no other way.
No worries! When this happens, there are tips that do not require any additional effort on your part and setting up will only take a few minutes. Read on and learn how to have a stress-free family photo shoot from the professionals.
Making a Family Photoshoot Less Stressful
A fun and memorable occasion deserves to be preserved in film (or in photo paper in this case) and getting a whole family to pose for photos can translate to great photographs and timeless images. It can also let family members have the time of their lives while making memories that they can look back on in the future.
But family photoshoots can be chaotic and quite nerve-racking.
So, here are some ways to make it less stressful, as per professional photographers.
Determine the purpose of the photos to be taken
The whole point of family photoshoots is to have photos and memories that family members can treasure and as they grow older. Going down memory lane will be even more satisfying when you have great pictures to look at. However, you should also ask these questions before starting clicking on your camera.
- Where are they going to use the photos?
- Are they for a baptism or a birthday?
- Are they going to be framed and hung on a wall or put inside a photo album?
Asking these will help you decide on the theme and overall look of the photograph. With the family’s answers firmly in mind, you can make the photos look cohesive and serve their purpose well.
- Get to your spot
Once you have determined the purpose of the shoot, you can move on to choosing the location. In fact, it will be easier to figure it out once you have some things out of the way. First thing you need to do is to ask the family where they want the shoot to take place. If they don’t have any location in mind, then you can ask for recommendations from other photographers or from the locals. Or you can just walk around the neighborhood and look for a nice spot with a great background. Even a wall would do as long as it doesn’t clash with the theme, purpose and what the family is wearing.
- Put your ideas in writing
It’s not uncommon for everybody to have something to say but too many ideas can be quite distracting, especially if you have not written them down. If there is a lot of input from everybody on the photo shoot, take a pen and a piece of paper and write them all down, no matter what that idea is. This is really helpful if you are brainstorming days ahead of the actual shoot. There’s no telling what might happen but you could lose some of those ideas, and they might happen to be one of the best in the bunch.
When you have everything, pick out the most promising ideas so they can be approved by the whole family. You can have a set of guidelines with these ideas in mind. With your list, plus the guidelines you have set, you will not miss anything important on the day of the shoot.
- If you can, always choose the classic
This can apply to outfits, locations or backgrounds. Actually, it is recommended that you choose the classic style on just about every aspect of the shoot. Of course, it can be very interesting to go for a trendy style, but nothing beats the classic. Work with colors, and try not to use any piece of outfit with the brand logo on the conspicuous side. If your background is dark, or you’re on a grassy location, choosing bright pieces of clothing will break the monotony, provide some much-needed contrast, and will make the whole family stand out more.
You can let the family have a bit of coordination with their outfits but try not to let it be too obvious. It can give off a forced vibe and may end up looking weird in the photos.
- Use your imagination
If you are in a place with a lot of good choices for a photo op location, it is definitely a must that you get creative. Even when the location is the photographer’s studio, being creative will bring out the full extent of a photographer’s skill, by using his professional shooter. Try to have each family member’s personality infused in the photo. Is someone in the family into basketball or sports? Then try doing a photo shoot with that as the theme. Do they love photography, too? Then bring in some photography gear as props. You can bring each of the family member’s favorite toys when they were children. If some of them love reading, they can have books from their house brought in. Every family is unique, and the possibilities are literally endless.
- Make the shoot go smoothly
Aside from having a list and guidelines to make your family photoshoot run smoothly, your gear also plays a huge part towards achieving this. Regardless if you are using the best DSLR camera or a mirrorless one, having a carrying device for it is absolutely necessary for convenience and comfort. The SpiderPro camera carrying systems provide the most ergonomic way for carrying DSLRs. The system allows you to carry your camera around securely, yet comfortably. It also lets you use your camera from hips to hands in a flash, making it great for taking quick shots.
- Have fun
This adage is especially true of photo shoots. You might think that to stand out, you have to put in a lot of components in your pictures. This is simply not true. What is important is the honest interaction between family members. This makes for the best photographs. No prop or lighting effect or professional camera can beat a genuine smile. Even an image from a GoPro would look like it was taken by a professional as long as you and your subjects are having fun. See this video on how you can use your GoPro to the fullest.
Professional photographer and even prosumers follow these tips. What is amazing about these tips is that anyone can use them and have a smooth and successful family photoshoot! Be it your own or someone else’s family that you are taking pictures of, follow these tips and guidelines and you will pleasantly surprised with the results.
With the unique camera accessories from Spider Holster, you can make your next family photo shoot a stress-free and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.