Tips For Successfully Photographing A Family Party
Preserving memories of family functions is important to many people. Whether it is a child’s birthday party, anniversary party, holiday gathering, family reunion or just a casual get together having photos can preserve these memories. Having quality photos can make these memories stand still in time. With a large group of people it can seem daunting to get the right shots for your family. You have been designated as the photographer of the day…what now? You don’t want to be the one responsible for not getting the best photos. So, below are some tips for getting the best photographs during your next family party.
Get candid shots. Having your family pose in a line can create a sense that the photo was forced. Having a few of these may be necessary but often times the best memories are captured with candid shots. Candid shots show the true relationships between family members and showcases their personalities.
Arrange family members in groups of 2 or 3. When arranging group shots having 2 or 3 family members in a shot is best. The number of people make for a well framed horizontal shot. In this setting you can crop tighter to shoulders and up. Full length photos are often unflattering and can look awkward.
Avoid using the flash. Natural light is best in family photos. This creates a natural sense and showcases the atmosphere of the party. The flash can also be distracting to your subjects. Avoiding the flash also allows you to work more quickly and capture the best photos.
Don’t photograph people as they are eating. It might be tempting to take a photo of the family dining together however, photos of people putting food in their mouth and eating are not flattering to your subject. This might be a time to have family members pose. If you must have a picture of the family at the table together just ask them to look at you. This will avoid any embarrassing photos.
Move around. If you work your way through the party you can capture special moments that are happening right then. Staying in the same place may lead to your missing out on certain guests at the party.
Change your angle. If you are taking shots straight on all of the time there won’t be any variety. This can lead to boring photographs. Try changing your angle a bit to get interesting photos. Getting down low will allow for great photos of pets and children.
Keep shooting photographs. Taking a lot of photos may doesn’t necessarily mean you will have a lot of perfect photos but it does increase your chances. Having a handful of amazing photos can be better than a lot of bad photos.
Armed with these tips you will be well prepared for the next family party. Instead of one family member being forced to be in charge of photographs you can volunteer! Enjoy the process and the party. You will be creating tangible memories for your entire family. You will be the one the family thanks when looking back at the pictures with fond memories years down the road.