Families are the foundational unit of society. Members who have close-knit familial relations with each other often share precious memories and want them recorded somewhere as souvenirs. Making such time capsules become even more helpful for families with young children who will grow into adults in the blink of an eye.
Read on to explore this in-depth guide to everything you need to know about this genre of art. This includes understanding what family portraits are, tips for planning the photoshoot, taking the pictures and speeding up the process, and a few pose ideas for inspiration. So, let’s dive right in.
What Is The Meaning Of Family Portrait?
A family portrait is a group picture of family members, be it a painted artwork or a photograph. It is a beautiful and lasting reminder of the likeness and rapport between kin, represented visually.
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The number of members in a family portrait is totally subjective, as is the image's setting, mood, and style. A giant family portrait may have individuals spanning generations, from great-grandparents to newborn babies, fitting in one frame. Family portraits can be posed or candid, depending on the artistic discretion of those involved.
What Is The Purpose Of Family Picture?
The main aim of taking family portraits is to capture and preserve the bond and dynamics of the family in a snapshot. Candid family portraits successfully convey emotions and reflect the family members' relationships with each other. For posed ones, people can even be arranged in the order of age or significance of family roles if there is such a demarcation.
Sometimes, family portraits are taken during celebratory events like a wedding function or holidays like Christmas. Another example is a birthday party portrait wherein the family members smash cake on each other. These thematic portraits also depict the excitement and joy of special occasions while simultaneously looking natural.
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A large, framed family portrait is not only an aesthetic home decor addition but also a meaningful and symbolic reminder of familial ties and connection. It can be passed down throughout generations as an ancestral keepsake reflecting the family’s history and heritage. This is especially the case in royal family portraits, where their material wealth and luxury are exposed through grand props.
How Do You Make A Family Portrait?
Now that you understand what a family portrait constitutes and its goals, you must wonder how these are created. Amateur and professional photographers dabble in this fun and familiar genre, which isn’t without its complications. Making sure that so many people are in sync on the day of the shoot, including kids and elders, can get quite tricky.
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The same goes for family portrait paintings as well- it can be challenging because the artist needs to capture the likeness and essence of not just one individual but several. Their love and affection for each other should also turn up evocatively on canvas.
Since it can take time to master, you can always commission family portrait paintings from artists and companies. These portraits can be created in different mediums, like watercolors, oil pastels, or acrylic paint.
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But before we get into that, let us consider some tips and tricks that could help with family photography. The following guidelines are divided based on three categories- things to remember while planning the shoot and taking the picture and tips to speed up the process.
Planning The Photo Shoot
To ensure the success of the photo shoot, the preparations for it must go well. Planning the shoot ensures the smooth running of the session, guaranteeing stunning outcomes in the end. So let’s consider the following tips that can help you plan the photo shoot ahead of time:
1) Choosing The Right Time Of Day
Schedule the photo session at an appropriate time of the day on a date that works for every member. Choose a suitable season, like spring or summer, and a time of the day with the best lighting, like the golden hour. This would be the time right after sunrise or right before sunset when the sunlight produces a warm and golden glow where it falls.
Credit: Cari Hughes
Set a strict, clear, and fixed time slot aside for the session, like 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. If you’re going for a different theme, like nighttime in the city, Christmas festivities in the snow, etc., choose the date and time accordingly. When selecting natural light, ensure that the family is facing its direction, that is, towards the sun.
However, if the light is too glaringly bright, they can turn their back towards it, and a flash can be used for front lighting to balance the exposure, particularly useful for painting sessions. This is also the case when shooting under the inconsistent shade of trees, where you might need additional front light to avoid shadows on their faces. This is why shooting during slightly overcast periods can actually produce good results in terms of exposure and balance of light.
2) Selecting The Location
While a visually pleasing background is preferable to a blank one when choosing a location, you have to consider that several people of different ages are involved, and they need to be comfortable for a while. If the site is too rough, too hot, too cold, or too dark, it might not be suitable for a family photo shoot that goes on for a few hours.
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Opt for locations according to the season and climate, looking out for nearby shade from rain and sun. For example, avoid the summer heat shooting outdoors at noon, and evenings outdoors might be too dull during the winter. Since weather can be unpredictable, consider having a backup plan - another day, place, or time.
Ultimately, the location and scene come down to the creative vision of the parties based on the theme and compositional elements. It could be a casual beach picnic scene or a more formal indoor suit-and-tie visual. Another great idea for the family photo is to choose a location with meaningful and emotional relevance to the members.
3) Deciding On Wardrobe And Props
Having the people coordinate outfits and dress appropriately can harmonize the whole family picture. Decide on a color palette ahead of time so that the image is cohesive and has unity. These choices must also suit the photo session's backdrop, climate, and overarching theme.
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Go for a consistent style - for example, the picture would look odd if some people were wearing modern clothes and some were wearing traditional ones. It could ideally be something classic, simple, and timeless so that the picture has an evergreen quality. However, the family has to be comfortable in their clothes and opt for something that still represents their personalities.
Besides, if everyone wears the same outfit or color, it may overpower the frame and not flatter or set the individuals apart. Ensure the colors aren’t loud and complement each other and the family. Soft, neutral colors help avoid such clashes the best. Communicate with the family and see what works for them and what they want to adorn during the family session.
4) Preparing The Family For The Portrait Session
Finally, before diving into the shoot, prepare the family for the photoshoot session and ease them into it, especially the shy kids. Meet them in advance and get acquainted with them so they are comfortable and confident around you. Talking to them can also help you understand their expectations, lifestyle, humor sense, and temperament.
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Kids and uninterested teens may especially need a nudge to spark their interest in the portrait session. Understanding their preferences and routines can help the photographer and the family be ready for the session. It is vital that when there are newborns involved, you prepare spare clothes, food, toys, etc., and take their nap time into account.
Also, help the family get acquainted with the location beforehand if it is new to them. This allows them to try our different positions and poses and get familiar with the environment. It is also a good idea to ask the kids to play games, tickle each other, do impressions, etc., as you call them by their nicknames, with permission.
Taking The Picture
Now, let’s move on to the actual photo shoot, the most critical part of the whole process. The following tips can help produce good results:
5) Setting Up Lighting And Equipment
It is crucial that you set up the appropriate gear and camera equipment during the shoot to avoid technical difficulties. Use a quality camera like a DSLR, with settings to control aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Other features like a Frames Per Second burst mode, a suitable image sensor, and eye autofocus are also helpful to have.
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Also, grab some suitable lenses, like prime or zoom ones. A camera bag, extra battery, and backup memory cards may also come in handy. Set up a tripod and lighting equipment, such as a light stand, a camera flash, and reflectors if needed.
A flash is all the more essential during indoor shoots if the natural light streaming through the window is insufficient. To ensure that the flash is not too harsh and sharp, using a diffuser or reflection from the ceiling instead of directly shining it casts a balanced glow on the subject. This will ensure that the exposure of the composition is correct for the particular lighting conditions.
Adjust the lighting equipment to suit the specific scenario. These cameras often have wireless controls that you can use to throw the light in places selectively. Moreover, you can adjust the stand according to the height of the models involved in the family photography.
Read also: Cheap vs Expensive acrylic paint : Which One Should You Buy?
6) Posing Ideas For Families Of Different Sizes
Let us now briefly explore some pose ideas for family portrait photoshoots. Consider the number of people in a family and decide what would be convenient for each family member.
I. Multi-Generational Portrait
This pose is a beautiful representation of multiple generations of a family within one frame. The oldest grandparents can occupy the seats in the front, while the middle generation stands behind them. The children can be held by their parents in the back, sit on the grandparents’ laps or stand or sit on the sides or front.
Credit: Nashville Family Photographers
II. Candid and Casual Scenes
Another less formal pose idea is to capture the family in their natural habitat, joking, laughing, and bonding with each other. Show them in their element, comfortably playing and interacting with each other. This could be while having brunch, enjoying a beach day or a picnic, watching a movie, playing in the park, etc.
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III. Recreating Old Poses
A unique idea that has surfaced lately as a trend is finding and replicating a lovely picture of the past generation family members or of oneself in their younger days. The family can recreate the same pose in the same setting to evoke a bittersweet feeling of nostalgia. Reenacting poses not only lets you draw inspiration from old family photos but also helps create a timeline many years apart.
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7) Groupings That Highlight Your Family Dynamic
There are several poses that the family can experiment with, from hugging each other, sitting on a bench side-by-side, leaning against a wall or towards a fence, and piling up on the floor or lying down for an aerial shot. Other ideas include facing their backs to the camera and just turning their faces towards, standing diagonally facing sideways towards the ocean, giving the kids piggyback rides, etc.
The main thing to remember with these poses is that the family dynamic could be portrayed in how the members are grouped in the photo. Go through different combinations that best reflect the familial ties. Also, make smaller groups like just the siblings or just the grandparents and kids to show unique bonds, roles, and interactions.
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In a scene where children sit on a bench, and the parents are behind, hugging them from the back, the implied sense is that they love, care for, and protect the young ones. Similarly, seat the elders to show respect for them or have the married partners look at each other to depict their love for each other.
Also read: Turn Photos into Polaroids with Mobile Apps
Shooting Tips To Get Great Photos Quickly
With these tips, your family photoshoot is all set to go. But here are a few more things to consider for expediting the photo session and guaranteeing its smooth running.
8) Get The Camera Settings Right
Having a professional camera is meaningless until you learn how to use it. Understanding its technicalities can help you work faster and produce better results. So, consider the following camera dial settings:
I. Adjust Depth of Field and Aperture
Having a shallow depth of field will let you focus on one part of the scene rather than the whole thing. For example, you can blur the backdrop and highlight the faces and eyes to avoid the crowd and distractions around. A shallow depth of field is achieved through a wide aperture.
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The aperture controls the amount of light that enters the lens. A narrow aperture, which might be f/8 or higher, allows for less light, bringing most of the picture into focus. A wide aperture, in the range of f/2 or lower, allows more light to enter and focus on specific aspects.
II. Control Light with ISO
ISO can help you adjust the sensitivity of the light when it falls on the image sensor. When there is abundant light, a lesser ISO is preferable while in dimly lit scenarios, a higher ISO enhances exposure.
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However, in the latter case, the photo might include a lot of noise and grains if you are not careful with the exposure. So, some recommend keeping the ISO low and instead managing the light, aperture, and shutter speed to exposure.
III. Manage Shutter Speed
Shutter speed refers to the rate at which the shutter opens and closes. This must be controlled according to the lighting and whether any movement is being captured.
A quicker shutter implies less light flow, dark exposure, and freezing of any action or motion. A slower shutter speed means the light will have more time to enter, too much of which could overexpose your image and blur activity.
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But with the right balance, adjusting the shutter speed and aperture can be helpful to capture playful movement. For example, try a 1/125 or 1/500 rate and see if it works for the level of motion at hand.
9) Make it Fun And Fresh
To make sure that photoshoot runs smoothly, keep it fun and exciting for everyone while establishing the family’s comfort as a priority. Keep the kids engaged with toys or snacks and interact with them playfully. Choose a fun, memorable location and be on the move to explore its different nooks and crannies and capture great family pictures.
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Switch up the combinations and poses as well, working with different styles like posed photos and candid photos. If possible, bring the family pet into the mix. Capture their lively spirits as the family, especially the children, relaxes and frolics with the cat or dog. Let the family play with each other through tickles, piggybacks, or jokes, smiling and interacting naturally.
Also, consider fresh perspectives and angles for the family photos, experimenting with different positions, inclinations, and heights. Step away from the usual eye-level family pictures and try a lower angle with a wide lens or an aerial shot with the family lying down. Shoot from the sides or behind, and let your family portrait photography imagination run wild. You can also get help from technology and gadgets like drones.
10) Focus At The Right Place
To guarantee that the family isn’t distracted and giving their attention to separate things, get them to focus on one common element. This focal point could be their pet, the sunset, a newborn child, or something else. At the same time, they should be somewhat facing the camera and the photographer so that their faces aren’t obstructed.
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Use phrases like ‘say cheese’ to grab their focus to you, especially when taking straightforward, posed family photos facing forward. The small children may only look towards the camera if there is some trinket in that position to hold their attention. You can also develop some creative stories to convince the kids to relax and sit still during the family portrait session.
Keep all the family members within the frame and use a wide-angle lens to ensure no one is missed. Use the camera to keep their faces in focus, even when they are on the move. This doesn’t mean they have to be stiff and formal; they can be carefree and still have their faces turned toward the camera. Avoid clutter or blur it out in the background, and ensure the clothes are not filled with patterns and are distracting.
11) Edit to Perfection
Finally, use the editing process to correct the brightness, exposure, and vibrancy of colors to suit the aesthetic vision of the photographers and the family. Editing can help remove unwanted background objects and issues like red-eye. It helps add a standard tone, hue, or vibe to the picture and guarantees consistency. Tools like Adobe Lightroom are a good starting point for photo editing and can make all the difference.
Credit: Margarita Smirnova on Pinterest
Commissioning A Handmade Family Portrait From WhataPortrait
If you’re looking for a creative alternative to family photography, consider commissioning stunning art pieces from artists or art companies. This way, you can own marvelous hand-painted creations even if drawing and painting skills are not your strong suit. One such remarkable company with countless good reviews is WhataPortrait.
They provide the option to create custom, 100% handmade paintings and portraits by professional artists and creatives using excellent-quality materials. It could be pet portraits, memorial paintings, couple paintings, family portrait paintings, and so much more. These personalized illustrations capture the essence of the moment and the subjects, making perfect gifts or home decor pieces.
Credit: WhataPortrait
Additionally, you can get it freely shipped and delivered to your doorstep in just 2 to 4 weeks. With 24*7 customer service, WhataPortrait also guarantees complete satisfaction to its buyers. The easy ordering process includes the following steps:
- On their website, click the green button that says ‘Let’s Begin.’
- Choose a painting style from the available options, such as oil painting, watercolors, pastels, or charcoal. You can visit their gallery to see how it would look.
- Upload a bright, clear, good-quality reference image of your family to be recreated by the painters. If there is more than one, email them to help@whataportrait.com.
- Choose the canvas size and frame style from the available options, considering where you want to place the portrait. The most miniature painting would be 8*6, while the biggest goes up to 72*48. The frames range from basic brown and black to titanium white and rustic gold.
- In the dialogue box that opens up next, feel free to add any comments, suggestions, or additional thoughts that can communicate your vision to the artists.
- Finalize your order after checking out and making the payment. Now sit back and wait for your portrait to arrive!
Credit: WhataPortrait
Visit WhataPortrait today and get started on this artistic journey.
Conclusion
Portraits are a fantastic way to record and cherish memorable moments experienced by a family. They are lasting and can be treasured by many generations in remembrance of their ancestors. Family portraits also make beautiful and welcoming additions to the walls and interiors of a home.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can produce stellar family photos to add to albums or to frame. If you want something more unique than family photography, commission a custom family portrait from an art company such as WhataPortrait. So without further ado, capture those memories of you and your loved ones by taking family photos.
