Learning How To Take Group Pictures

If you would like to have a photo shoot with a group of people, it is good to prepare yourself and plan ahead. Orchestrating a picture with more than a few people can become a major headache when individuals start to give their own opinions about what you should be doing. Follow these tips and you can turn that headache into a fun and interesting time.

Here's how to ensure your next group session doesn't end in disaster:

Plan Ahead

If you're planning on getting a bunch of people together for a photograph, you'd better make sure you've considered every possible element of the shoot before your subjects show up. Make sure that you have two locations in mind, a primary location and the back up location in case something goes awry. Choosing one indoor location as well as an outdoor location will help you to get one that works. Make sure that it is clear what time you would like to begin the shoot, and request that they be a little bit early. To make sure that your shoot goes as easily as possible, make sure that your camera equipment is ready to go before anybody shows up. If you want your subjects to dress in a certain way, or if you have any other special requests, be sure that you mention it early and often.

Play it Safe

Shoot as many photographs as your allotted time will allow. More photographs will protect you from having to schedule a re-shoot, and will provide you (and your group) with choices for which photograph is the best. Use a tripod to help make it easier to shoot multiples times without any movement and, if available, use a light reflector or studio light to soften any shadows on your subjects. If the picture is flattering, it will be more quickly accepted than one where people don't like the way that they look, so save yourself some time and do this in-camera instead of in the darkroom.

Don't Trust the Group

Ultimately, at the end of the shoot, the final image is your responsibility. This means that, for you, "The buck stops here.". Because the results are riding on your shoulders, you should feel no hesitation about posing the group or herding them around. Try to stay positive and focus on what your goals are, because an angry group can instantly become challanging to deal with. If you help the group understand the importance of the photo shoot this will go a long ways in getting everyone relaxed and working towards the same goal. If the group thinks the photographers knows what they're doing and is friendly, the group normally won't mind taking a few orders.

And a Fun One

While this is certainly not a requirement, consider taking a fun picture where everyone can be silly as most groups love doing this. If you've gotten enough good group photos, don't forget to mix in some creativity with your photos like having a shot where you let the group decide how they want to pose. Sometimes these photographs can turn out better than the ones where everyone is carefully posed.

Group photography is certainly not for the weak of heart. To take a great group photo, you should be well organized, be able to take good shots quickly, and have the ability to be patient with impatient people. If you are able to come prepared and maintain a positive attitude, not to mention giving the group some freedom as to what they do, you should find that dealing with a group is not as hard as you thought it would be. All that you really need is a little determination and the right frame of mind.


------

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames. Shop online anytime and see our collection of vintage picture frames in a wide variety of styles and colors. Visit our website and see our lovely vintage picture frames or call 1-800-780-0699.