Posted by Acratech on 25th Nov 2015
It’s one of the most un-wonderful times of the year again for photographers around the nation. And in spite of the fact that it happens every year, each year it also feels like it strikes when you least expect it: lulled into a deep carb coma following seconds and maybe thirds of turkey and pumpkin pie, your Mom, Grandma, or Uncle Bob will suddenly impinge themselves into your sweet dreams of a remote mountaintop photo expedition with a different kind of photo proposal. “Wouldn’t it be nice to take a family portrait, everybody?” And with that, you’re suddenly forced into action, scrambling to arrange a dozen or more relatives into a passable pose for portraits in a cramped living room or front yard.
Never fear, however, because this situation can be (at least moderately) prepared for in advance, allowing you to use the occasion to capture family portraits that actually flatter their subjects, and work with the backdrops you’ve got. Since you’re already known as “the photographer of the family” you may as well own it, right?
Arranging a Large Group:
Maximizing Indoor Light Sources:
Challenging Backgrounds:
Simon Ringsmuth recently published a great tutorial on Digital Photography School about changing up the focal length on your zoom lens to create background compression. This process enhances the subject by creating background bokeh - a blurred effect that will nicely obscure unwanted elements such as power lines or parked cars, freeing your subject(s) from the distractions of a cluttered background.
And Most Importantly:
Remember to enjoy yourself - family can be a real pain, but you only have one, and when you look back at these photos in some years you'll want to remember what a great day you all shared, turkey coma and all.
Happy Thanksgiving, from the Acratech family!