Do you have a headcount of more than seven for your next photo session? No need to fear. While getting group photos to look professional can be a challenge, with the right light, location and the burst of a shutter, Pacific Dream Photography can make it easy. So, go ahead and get the whole family together, or invite your friends because with Pacific Dream, the motto is, “the more, the merrier!” Find below some tips to take the best group photos possible.
1. Find even, soft light: While locating a spot that will both look nice and administer good light for a lot of people can be hard, it is the most important step while taking large group photos. While shooting outdoors, hard and or directional light can be unflattering and result to uneven exposure while some people are blanketed with different brightness levels of light. To avoid this, you need to find a spot that will cover everyone’s faces in the same light so that nobody has awkward spots of sun, and nobody is in dark shadows while the others are in brightness. This will lead to a more cohesive, professional looking image. That being said, many times, your best bet will be to find open shade. This will be somewhere that everyone may look their best without squinting at the sun, or being dappled with heavy light or shadow. Take a look at these examples.
- Tier your subjects: Take to a staircase, a slope, or grab some chairs to separate the group into tiers to help make everyone fit a little more snug. It can be strange to have a long line of people in a photo, so tighten up your frame by placing people in tiers to ensure everyone is visible. Just make sure that the tiers are relatively even so that your end result is balanced!
- Laugh a little! Okay, so while most group photos are aimed to be more serious, if your clients are family or friends, a great way to make everyone look a little more comfortable is to ask them to take a silly photo. Have everyone laugh or make faces at each other for a light and fun, candid look. Often times these images end up being the favorites and if you have any issues with the group looking stiff, do one more serious smiling pose after the silly ones. Following the laughs, the group tends to look more confortable and relaxed.
So, don’t exclude anyone! Get the whole family together or ask your friends to tag along at your session because our photographers are certain to make your memories with ALL of your loved ones last a lifetime.
Written by Paige W. (Pacific Dream Photography at the Montage Laguna Beach)