Planning Advice for Photography Poses
1) Prepare For The Event
Prepare for the event by thinking about every photograph you want to take and what kind of photography pose(s) you would like to capture. Consider who, where, how, and the type of environment. Thinking about it beforehand will always produce better results.
2) Take Multiple Photographs
Take multiple shots of each pose (remember, digital memory is reusable, a.k.a. “free”). Regardless of what you say or do, people will blink. And don’t count on spotting small problems on the tiny camera LCD screen (even on full magnification); which leads to…
3) Check the LCD Screen
Check the digital camera’s LCD screen only for general framing of the picture, extreme movements, confirmation that all faces can be seen, and the histogram.
Do not use the LCD screen for any fine review of the picture! (That is what your computer is for.)
Note that you can have a fantastic photography pose; arrange everyone perfectly; and, have the photograph “frozen” (no blinking, and no shaking of the camera)…but, when you check it out in the LCD, you see 2 drunks fighting in the background!
4) Funny Phrases
Have some funny phrases (or something humorously appropriate to your group) handy to use just before you take the photo.
Don’t use them when setting up for the shot. And, don’t use the same phrase all the time. Throw in funny anecdotes, phrases, names, words that you know your family will find more amusing than “cheese.” A natural smile looks four times better than a fake one.
Our second category is…
Location Advice for Photography Poses
Taking INDOOR family photography, is very different than OUTDOOR family photograph (duh!). For INDOOR pictures…
1) Wide Angle
You will tend to use the wide angle more often than your telephoto setting. Pay particular attention to your “end people” (those farthest to the right and the left in your viewfinder). There is one specific tip to insure that if cropping is eventually required for your picture, the end people won’t have to lose a limb.
2) The Flash
Flash considerations are critical. Do not be outside your “flash range.” For example, if at ISO 100, your flash can properly illuminate 12 feet, don’t attempt a pose that requires anyone to stand at 14 feet (unless, of course, it’s evil cousin Ira who you want to appear in darkness).
3) Plan “B”
If you need to be further away than your on-camera flash allows, here are 4 things you can try…
1. Consider purchasing an external flash unit for your camera.
2. Increase the ISO setting so that a flash may not be necessary. However, don’t increase the ISO so much that you produce “noise.”
3. Use a tripod, and increase the exposure time enough to properly expose the image WITHOUT USING A FLASH.
4. Physically move to a significantly brighter location.
4) Watch Your Background
If there are distracting (or competing) features, change the background. The best photography pose in the world won’t look right with a distracting background. And finally…
5) Mirror, Mirror, on The Wall
If there are mirrors or reflective surfaces in the background and you can’t find a different location, only take the picture in such a way that the flash is not perpendicular to the surface, but at an angle (unless you want a nice photo of your flash).
Outdoor photography addresses different issues…
6) The Sun
Avoid photographing in direct sunlight, or in mixed light and shade, especially faces. Optimal lighting for almost any photography pose, results from a slightly overcast sky.
7) Shade
When photographing in shade, use fill-flash when necessary. And, really finally…
Beauty
If practical, take the picture at one of the beautiful natural settings near you. Imagine the result of a creative photography pose captured in a stunning environment. Can you say: “over the mantle!”?
