1. Preparation is key

Just like any “Boy Scout” would tell you; Always be prepared. This is true for any kind of photography, but is especially true in group portraits. You have multiple people’s attention so don’t waste it. Ensure that your batteries are charged and that your lens cap is off! If this is a casual affair you may have to gather all of the other cameras from everyone who wants their own snapshot of the event.

Fall Family

2. Scout your location

Think about the background. You want as solid of a background as you can find when indoors. Watch out for mirrors behind your subjects, and if all else fails, head outside. In fact, you’ll probably end up with better light if you go outdoors depending on the time of day.

3. Light

Group portraits need more light on average. If your near magic hour pose the group with the sun at about 45 degrees behind you. This will light the group while avoiding squinted eyes. Sometimes, your confined to indoor shooting so you’ll want to use your tripod if you’ve got it handy (you do have your tripod handy right?). Use the flash on a slower shutter speed and tell the group to hold still. You’ll get the ambient light to show through while “popping” the group with flash. This is how the great wedding photographers do it.

4. About that tripod

With group portraits a tripod will really help to ensure you get great results. You’ll be able to use a slightly slower shutter speed (tell the group to stay as still as possible) which works for lower lighting situations. You also have the opportunity to interact with the group by manipulating the pose and having the composition set. Bonus: If someone blinks and you took multiple pictures you can easily “swap heads” in photoshop to get the desired results.

Family Photo Shoot

5. Make sure they see you

One way to quickly ensure that everyone will be accounted for in a group portrait is to tell them “Make sure you can see the camera!”. If they can see the camera, then most likely the camera can see them. All you have to do now is check your composition to make sure no one is hiding.

6. Get a higher vantage point

One creative way to make sure your group portrait looks stunning is to use a ladder to get a higher vantage point. You’ll be able to “see” everyone in the picture and a higher angle tends to be more flattering for subjects on the heavier side.

7. Crop in close

With a group picture you’ll run into an age old problem: People’s faces are smaller in group pictures. This is a simple matter of perspective. So if you want to ensure that each individual enjoys as much “limelight” as possible you’ll have to crop in as close as possible. This will also crop out much of the distracting background that can ruin an otherwise great image.

8. Take lot’s of pictures

Consider this simple rule of thumb: Take one picture for every person in the group up to 7 images. So if you have 5 people, take 5 pictures. This will help to ensure that you get a “good one”. Furthermore, you’ll have extra images to use in case photoshopping is needed.

9. Be tricky

Sometimes the most frustrating thing about shooting group portraits is the inability to capture everyones’ smiles just right. Try a few tricky counts to catch people off guard. Tell them you’re going to count to 3 then snap at 2 and a half. Or you can try making jokes to get everyone to smile. Then you’d just shoot at the right time.

10. Relax, photography is fun

The best group images can come when least expected. During wedding group portraits I would reserve a final shot trying to get everyone relaxed. So I would do a “final count to 3″, shoot at 2, then take another picture after everyone is still posed but started to relax. It doesn’t work every time but it’s all about experimenting. A great way to capture natural smiles from your group portraits is to have them do a silly picture. A few seconds afterward the group is still posed and smiling from having fun. That’s a perfect time to shoot.

What else do you do to get great group pictures?

Photographs:

Fall Family by Drlg who works as a wedding and portrait photographer in Alberta Canada. Visit his website DRG Photography to see more of his wonderful work.

Family Photo Shoot by Tony Vargas Photography - McAllen, Texas also works as a wedding photographer so check out his website Tony Vargas Photography as well.

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