Help me, please?

[delmama]

I am photographing 5 kids on Tuesday, they are 18months to 9 years, my client wants a portrait by her fireplace, I am just trying to get some ideas, tips for how to get the best out of this, how to grab the attention from all those kids and what the best poses would be?

Also I am photographing a family of 5 this weekend at our local gardens, I would love some tips/advice for poses as well, these are a few of my first big group photographs! I am used to shooting 1-3 people at a time only!

Thanks!

[suecassidy]

What exactly are the ages and genders of these children? All of them.

[delmama]

I believe 3 boys 9, 6, 5 2 girls 2 1/2 and 18 months. :)

[suecassidy]

First of all, anyone shooting boys, should have mom make sure there are pockets in their pants. It gives fidgety boys a place to put their hands that looks casual and the pocket can hold a jelly bean bribe if necessary. having said that:

Here's one that I would try. The 9 year old in middle square on to camera, legs slightly apart, both hands in pockets or arms crossed. 6 and 5 year olds on either side will give you triangle composition, assuming they are both shorter. Visualize that so far. Turn them SLIGHTLY IN towards nine year old (get them all very close together). The younger boys feet will be on either side and slightly behind one shoulder of 9 year old, and slightly angled TOWARDS BIG BROTHER. Little boys will have one shoulder hidden, big boy will have both showing. Got that? Visual it. Now, Tell them that you've glued their feet to the floor with bubble gum. Why? Cuz you don't want them to absentmindly pull out of position to stand directly beside brother like you've lined them up to be shot. ha ha . photo pun intended. NEXT: with little boys slightly angled towards big brother, and feet firmly planted, twist little boys shoulders slightly towards the camera. There faces will naturally follow and it will look good, but their feet will remain pointed where you planted them, which is NOT pointing at the camera. Put the camera side little boys hands in pockets. Now you are ready to set up your camera and fuss with the focus as those kids should be old enough to stay in position without melting down.
Only when you are ready with your camera settings etc. should you be ready to bring in the little ones. I was thinking that if you had both little girls hiding slightly behind the brothers, and leaning out and yelling "boo!" every now and then....the 18 month old will be the challenge, hence the game. Hopefully, she will mimic the 2.5 year old. The older boys will laugh if the energy is right and you should get some fun shots.

From this same general set up, you can do all sorts of things. All hold hands, girls on the end. The 18 month old can hug the 6 year old's leg and play peek a boo. The main thing is that you don't try and do too many set ups. That is too many kids of volatile ages to do that.

Work fast, try and get the little boys on your side right out of the gate, and don't do too many set ups. Have fun. It will show on THEIR faces.