formal family portraits help.

fshkypr · 21st of May 2012 (Mon)

I got asked by my pastor to take some pics of him and his family to be displayed in our new church.
he asked that they be formal I hardly do formal , normally shoot casual outdoors.
I do have 4 ab800's and a black backdrop that I will be using. biggest problem is how to pose them.
It will be four of them. If anyone has done formal photo shoot please post examples need to get Ideas on posing.
thanks
robert

Gatorboy · 23rd of May 2012 (Wed)

The best thing about being asked, is you can say, "no, thank you"

If this is something you don't know how to do second-nature, just pass.

HughR · 23rd of May 2012 (Wed)

First, welcome to POTN; you'll find a lot of helpful photographic info here.

Regarding your question, DO NOT pose them in a line. Best is probably something like a diamond or triangle. Perhaps the wife in a chair with a child on each side (depends on the age and size of the children) and the pastor standing and overseeing his flock. That's one idea.

Gatorboy · 23rd of May 2012 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HughR

First, welcome to POTN; you'll find a lot of helpful photographic info here.

The OP has been a member for 7 years.

gonzogolf · 23rd of May 2012 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fshkypr

I got asked by my pastor to take some pics of him and his family to be displayed in our new church.
he asked that they be formal I hardly do formal , normally shoot casual outdoors.
I do have 4 ab800's and a black backdrop that I will be using. biggest problem is how to pose them.
It will be four of them. If anyone has done formal photo shoot please post examples need to get Ideas on posing.
thanks
robert

The best answer I can give you is start looking in the people section and find some poses you want to emulate. Just telling us there are 4 people doesnt help much. Tall people, tiny people, wide people all require a little bit of finesse. Also don't get too caught up in the difference between formal and informal. Its often just the difference in the backdrop.

fshkypr · 23rd of May 2012 (Wed)

Thanks for the help guys i did find this video on youtube.
I Will post results after the shoot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_xU6IIGC7U

cameraperson · 23rd of May 2012 (Wed)

Other than relentless looking on here, look a many forums. Put this in google image search: family photo poses

21st of May 2012 (Mon)	#1
fshkypr Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3	formal family portraits help. I got asked by my pastor to take some pics of him and his family to be displayed in our new church. he asked that they be formal I hardly do formal , normally shoot casual outdoors. I do have 4 ab800's and a black backdrop that I will be using. biggest problem is how to pose them. It will be four of them. If anyone has done formal photo shoot please post examples need to get Ideas on posing. thanks robert

23rd of May 2012 (Wed)	#2
Gatorboy Goldmember Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bel Air, MD Posts: 2,413	Re: formal family portraits help. The best thing about being asked, is you can say, "no, thank you" If this is something you don't know how to do second-nature, just pass. __________________ Dave Hoffmann

23rd of May 2012 (Wed)	#3
HughR Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 996	Re: formal family portraits help. First, welcome to POTN; you'll find a lot of helpful photographic info here. Regarding your question, DO NOT pose them in a line. Best is probably something like a diamond or triangle. Perhaps the wife in a chair with a child on each side (depends on the age and size of the children) and the pastor standing and overseeing his flock. That's one idea. __________________ Hugh Canon 60D, Original Digital Rebel (2003) EFS 15-85mm IS USM, EF 70-300mm IS USM, Tokina 11-16mm Speedlite 430EX, Speedlite 430EX II, Qbox 16 pro, Lastolite EZbox 24x24, Lumiquest Softbox III

23rd of May 2012 (Wed)	#6
fshkypr Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3	Re: formal family portraits help. Thanks for the help guys i did find this video on youtube. I Will post results after the shoot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_xU6IIGC7U

23rd of May 2012 (Wed)	#7
cameraperson Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA. Posts: 751	Re: formal family portraits help. Other than relentless looking on here, look a many forums. Put this in google image search: family photo poses __________________ 20D, 18-55

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