Colorful memory
A family portrait is an inseparable part of any home décor. Whether the picture was taken years ago or just recently, on a special occasion or spontaneously, whether your children still live with you or have their own lives, a painting or photo showing the entire family together just can’t be omitted when you think about decorating your living space. But what if you still haven’t captured your perfect family portrait? These simple ideas and tips will help you cope with that tricky mission!
Family portrait tips for beginners
1. Think of what the family is going to wear.
You might think this is irrelevant, but in a work of art, everything matters. Selecting suitable clothing for all members of the photo will allow the photographer to create a more harmonious composition with colors that complement one another.
2. Use a tripod
If you are going to play the role of the photographer, especially if you are new at this, don’t rely solely on your hands. Taking advantage of a tripod will give you the necessary stability to produce a clear and static shot. Besides, you’ll have to automatically slow down to set it up, which will give you a few spare minutes to review the composition and fix your settings.
3. Choose manual exposure mode and lock the focus
You do not want your exposure and focus to shift while you do your business. To keep these settings consistent throughout the whole shoot, switch to Manual Mode and use focus lock. Remember that it’s easier to readjust exposure with each change of scene, pose, etc than spending hours on post-processing.
4. Avoid a straight line of heads
When all heads in the picture make a straight line, it looks too primitive and unappealing. To add more dynamics and interest to your portrait, place the people in your grouping so that their heights are staggered. Have some of the family members sit down or stand up. You can use parts of the environment to pose them.
5. No stiff poses
When being shot, many people tend to take unnaturally rigid poses. Get the family members to bend a couple of body parts for a more spontaneous look – for instance, shift their weight to one leg, shove a hand in a pocket, cross one foot over the other or tilt forward a bit if they are sitting.
As you can see, it’s quite possible to make a great family portrait even if you are not a professional photographer or artist! Follow our simple recommendations and your next photo session will be a succ