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As a professional photographer, adding family photoshoots to your list of services can be a good thing for your business. Many families love to book family photo sessions, so being able to capture memorable family moments and turn them into high-quality photos can expand your customer base. However, because you’ll be working with multiple people, family photoshoots can be challenging to handle. You want to make sure that each family member feels seen in every photograph and at the same time maintain harmony in each composition.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to capture stunning family photos and make the experience fun for the entire family. Firstly, you need the right equipment. Whether the equipment is coming from your own collection or a company that offers reliable camera and lens hire services, you need the proper tools to capture precious moments of your subjects.
Next, you have to effectively incorporate a variety of framing techniques so that you can bring focus to your compositions. Here are some that you can try:
Utilise Leading Lines
Leading lines are compositional elements in a photograph that guide the viewer’s eyes toward the main subject or subjects. These lines can be natural (e.g., rivers, tree lines, and horizon lines) or man-made (e.g., fences, bridges, and architectural features). When used in family photography, leading lines can be particularly effective in directing the viewer’s attention to the interactions and connections between family members. For example, positioning your subjects along a winding path or a row of trees can create a visual journey through the photo. By strategically incorporating this technique into your compositions, you can add interest and depth to the image.
Apply the Rule of Thirds
Another fundamental principle of photography composition is the rule of thirds. It divides an image into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines, resulting in a grid. The main subjects or points of interest in the photograph are then placed along these lines or at the intersections, rather than in the centre of the frame. This technique creates a dynamic and visually appealing composition, drawing the eye towards the subjects. Thus, applying the rule of thirds when composing family photos can help create balance and harmony in the image. This results in more visually striking and memorable family photos.
Look for Natural Frames
When composing family photos, keep an eye out for natural frames within your surroundings such as doorways, windows, arches, or tree branches. These can add visual interest and depth to your compositions, while drawing attention to your subjects. They can also provide context for the scene, giving viewers a glimpse into the environment surrounding the family. Additionally, natural frames can add a layer of storytelling to your photos, providing visual cues that enhance the narrative of the image.
Fill the Frame
Filling the frame means composing your photos in such a way that the main subjects occupy a significant portion of the image. By getting close to the family and filling the frame with their faces or interactions, you can create more impactful and intimate photographs that highlight the emotions and connections between the members. It also allows you to capture details and expressions with clarity, making the photo more engaging for viewers.
Another good thing about filling the frame is that it eliminates distractions from the background, ensuring that the focus remains squarely on the family members. This technique is particularly effective for photos of candid moments and expressions, as it lets you capture the nuances and subtleties of emotion in your family photos.
Leave Negative Space to Create Dynamic Photos
Negative space refers to the empty areas surrounding the main subjects in a photograph. It may seem counterintuitive when you’re trying to take photos that communicate the closeness between family members, leaving negative space in your family photos can actually enhance the composition. With strategic use of negative space, you can create a more dynamic and visually appealing image. For one, it provides breathing room within the frame to allow the viewer’s eyes to rest and create a sense of balance and harmony. Plus, this technique can help highlight the connections and interactions between family members by emphasising the subjects within the frame.
Experiment with Angles
Changing your perspective and experimenting with different angles can dramatically alter the composition and visual impact of your family photos. It gives you the freedom to play with composition and framing, resulting in more dynamic and engaging photographs that show the personalities and dynamics of your subjects in new and creative ways
So, instead of shooting from eye level, try getting down low or shooting from above to capture unique and interesting perspectives. Meanwhile, shooting from above allows you to highlight the intimacy and closeness between family members.
It can be challenging to capture picture-perfect family photos, but with the help of these camera framing techniques, achieving stunning compositions will be a breeze. What’s more, implementing different approaches in your family photo sessions allows you to create a unique collection of photos that the family will surely cherish for years to come.
