Family Reunion Pictures

[iFloyd]

My previous client is having me do her Family Reunion pictures. There will be a total of 30 guests and I was wondering if you guys could give me any tips? I'm not really familiar with this type of setting as I do more one to one photography.

Also, if you have any pictures I could browse, that would help as well.

Thanks in advance!

[egordon99]

Not sure what "one to one photography" is supposed to mean, but are you asking about posing? Focusing on more than one subject? Have you ever shot 2 people at a time? three?

You certainly have the equipment to pull this off, and your Flickr stuff looks good, so what are you unsure of?

Are they asking for candids? Posed shots?

[iFloyd]

Not sure what "one to one photography" is supposed to mean, but are you asking about posing? Focusing on more than one subject? Have you ever shot 2 people at a time? three?

You certainly have the equipment to pull this off, and your Flickr stuff looks good, so what are you unsure of?

Are they asking for candids? Posed shots?

sorry for being unclear.

definitely not worried about equipment and lighting etc. im more worried about positioning since ive never shot more than 7 people before.

not too worried about candids and having individual family pictures as well, im more worried about the group shot since that's the main focus. just looking for creative ideas.

[enrigonz]

I shot my own family reunion about 2 weeks ago, basically I divided everyone into family groups and then one big group shot at the end (30 people also). But I shot grandma with her kids then grand kids moms and dads with their kids, all the little ones together, then I did some candid shots of everyone talking, laughing, singing, etc..

My setup was very basic, white 10x20 background with 3 speedlites shooting through white umbrellas, had many different poses including some really funny ones, in a family reunion you'll end up with a clown or two. It wont be so formal, not like a wedding so it takes a lot of improvising and patience, for the group shot I took everyone outside to be able to get distance but that might not be the case for you.

[iFloyd]

I shot my own family reunion about 2 weeks ago, basically I divided everyone into family groups and then one big group shot at the end (30 people also). But I shot grandma with her kids then grand kids moms and dads with their kids, all the little ones together, then I did some candid shots of everyone talking, laughing, singing, etc..

My setup was very basic, white 10x20 background with 3 speedlites shooting through white umbrellas, had many different poses including some really funny ones, in a family reunion you'll end up with a clown or two. It wont be so formal, not like a wedding so it takes a lot of improvising and patience, for the group shot I took everyone outside to be able to get distance but that might not be the case for you.

thanks for your input!

the reunion will be outdoors, lighting won't be a problem. all i'm really worried about is the group shot--just scanning ideas on how to do it right now.

[hhidajat]

I guess you have completed the shot by the time this post made. But here is a thought. A good idea came from PPA magazine about shooting big group like this. It is written by Photographer Drake Busath. His method is to break down the big group into a small group by shooting per family and combine them in PS. His work is really nice.
This way you can get each family looking good with no sweating.:D. Hope this help someone.