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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Suggestions for posing large extended family
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 07/13/2012 04:00:41 PM · #1
I'm headed down to Oceanside, CA this weekend for a family reunion on Jenn's side. Jenn's parents want me to shoot a family portrait that will be the two of them along with the families of their kids. (Three families of four, four, four). Jenn's mom has asked that each family wears a different color.

I am NOT a professional portrait guy. I don't mind doing this because it's family, but I also don't know what I'm doing. Can anybody point to links or give suggestions of how to arrange this many people? We may be doing it on the beach. I'll be taking the pictures on a tripod with a timer (which always adds to the challenge because you can't monitor what's going on when the picture is taken).
 07/13/2012 04:07:30 PM · #2
get em naked
 07/13/2012 04:28:45 PM · #3
We're a very small family so I've never been faced with this problem. However, I wonder if it would be worth it to invest in a wireless shutter release. That might give you more control over when to take the shot -- also avoid you dashing back to take your place and smile. I'm always afraid I'm going to trip. You can get some of the off brands pretty cheaply. I usually take these pictures in open shade to avoid squints and harsh shadows. Don't forget to check for telephone poles and other unsightly things in the background.

Good luck and show us the results.
 07/13/2012 04:30:04 PM · #4
i totally misread the title of this thread
 07/13/2012 04:41:40 PM · #5
I remember a feature article on photographer Drake Busath in Professional Photo magazine last year on how he does large family groups as a panorama. Here is a link to part of that article.

//www.ppmag.com/current_issue/pdfs/0510/busathtutorial.pdf
 07/13/2012 04:46:55 PM · #6
If you are at the beach you may be able to use the slope to help arrange them in tiers (like choir risers) the same way you'd shoot a sports team or class picture.

Another option for a large group is to shoot from relatively high above, with the people clustered tightly and looking up.

At the beach you can get pretty harsh lighting, but also can get some reflection up off the sand. For me, one of my aims when taking a portrait is to keep the shadows under the eyes, nose and chin just dark enough to create definition.
 07/13/2012 04:58:26 PM · #7
That's two parents, two kids per family, for a total of 14, counting the grandparents? It's a manageable number. Beach is TOUGH, really harsh light. There are some nice backgrounds and all at Mission San Luis Rey, just inland a little way on 76...
 07/13/2012 05:12:14 PM · #8
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
That's two parents, two kids per family, for a total of 14, counting the grandparents? It's a manageable number. Beach is TOUGH, really harsh light. There are some nice backgrounds and all at Mission San Luis Rey, just inland a little way on 76...


You may be a lifesaver Bear. I have been scouting for a different location because I didn't want to shoot at the beach anyway. We'd have to do it early to get decent light and the sand there at Oceanside isn't the prettiest. The Mission however might be pretty cool! I'm going to search for photos.
 07/13/2012 05:21:44 PM · #9
One thing to avoid is putting folks anywhere near the edges (or worse, the corners) of a WA frame. If at all possible, use a 50mm or longer lens and back up, otherwise people will get terribly distorted at the left and right extremes.
I'd take a TC80-N3 and set it to take a series of shots starting after a delay, start the timer, get into the shot and let it go. Taking a series should ensure you get something useable. In a pinch, I've even PS'ed a head from one shot to another :-)
 07/13/2012 05:23:57 PM · #10
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
That's two parents, two kids per family, for a total of 14, counting the grandparents? It's a manageable number. Beach is TOUGH, really harsh light. There are some nice backgrounds and all at Mission San Luis Rey, just inland a little way on 76...


You may be a lifesaver Bear. I have been scouting for a different location because I didn't want to shoot at the beach anyway. We'd have to do it early to get decent light and the sand there at Oceanside isn't the prettiest. The Mission however might be pretty cool! I'm going to search for photos.


I'd go early, when it opens to the public, and make a beeline for the interior court first; it's very pretty and interesting in there.
 07/13/2012 05:36:17 PM · #11
Get there on your own the day before and scan the location/check exposure ratings and such, enabling the session to be about people and not you and your camera. (Just thinking out loud here, apologies if that was obvious and/or you have those skills in abundance).
 07/13/2012 05:39:52 PM · #12
Feign stomach flu.
 07/13/2012 05:47:31 PM · #13
Originally posted by raish:
Get there on your own the day before and scan the location/check exposure ratings and such, enabling the session to be about people and not you and your camera. (Just thinking out loud here, apologies if that was obvious and/or you have those skills in abundance).


I tend to do this electronically with Google Earth and The Photographer's Ephemeris. :) I can already tell you the Mission has a courtyard with a north south walkway and flowers (at least flowers at some time). The sun will be almost 90 degrees to the right at 10:00 AM. I've called the mission and left a message to ask if taking such a portrait would be ok with them. Dunno if I'll hear back.

Still, it would be good to get there ahead of time. I'm not sure I'll be able to do it. We get in Saturday and the only day that will work for everybody is Sunday. yikes!
 07/13/2012 06:16:32 PM · #14
Too bad. Talked to the mission and that courtyard is not open to public. Plus there is a festival this weekend with extra traffic so the odds of finding a spot sans people is unlikely. Back to the drawing board.
 07/13/2012 06:33:24 PM · #15
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
...Back to the drawing board.


Bummer. For a while there, you looked like a man on a mission ;-)
 07/13/2012 06:36:49 PM · #16
Anywhere in the shade with a nice set of steps will work. While shooting high school graduations last month I was asked by a family of 14 if I could take their photo.


With a little effort, you should be able to do much better.
 07/13/2012 07:41:40 PM · #17
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Back to the drawing board.


If the drawing board is big enough, you could draw a nice scene on it (e.g. Mission Sna Luis Rey) and then set it up behind the families. ;-Þ
 07/13/2012 07:45:55 PM · #18
Stairs, a pile of rocks, a slope, stack them up. Try a park, golf course, garden, general wild area where structures aren't in the back ground. I'd suggest sundown or if they are early risers try early AM (the golden hour) maybe at a picnic or other family activity.
 07/13/2012 08:41:23 PM · #19
If you can't elevate the family, elevate yourself. Get a ladder and shoot from a higher perspective.

//digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-great-group-photos
//digital-photography-school.com/posing-guide-21-sample-poses-to-get-you-started-with-photographing-groups-of-people
 07/13/2012 10:14:11 PM · #20
pyramid or bust.
 07/14/2012 02:20:10 PM · #21
One trick that sometimes works for large groups is stolen from real estate photography, put the camera on a pole. I use an old extendable tree trimming pole that I modified, but you can duct tape a monopod or tripod to anything long and sturdy enough. Using the pole and a remote trigger gives you the eye in the sky look, where everyone is looking up. It gives an interesting angle on group shots and minimizes the size difference between those closest and furthest from the lens and the issue of floating heads over the shoulders of others that is the issue with normal tiered group shots. Plus you don't have to have a great background, because there isn't one.

Message edited by author 2012-07-14 14:20:55.
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