The excitement, tension and drama on a wedding day can sometimes mean taking the official family photos can be quite challenging. A professional photographer must strike a balance between being friendly, but authoritative, in order to get the right shots.
Traditionally, the first few family shots are taken after the wedding ceremony, a hectic moment, so the golden rule is to remain calm and be clear about what you want. Some photographers find it helpful to meet with the happy couple prior to the big day to discuss what shots they would like, how many shots to include, and who should be featured. Ask them to draw up a list of who they want in each picture and then get them to nominate a family member, usher, or bridesmaid who knows who is who, and can round up the relevant people for the photos.
Some couples choose immediate family only, but others may also want to include godparents, aunties and uncles, and all the cousins. Bear in mind, that the greater number of people in the shot, the harder it is to achieve a decent shot.
Make sure tall people stand at the back and the shorter guests are at the front. One of the main issues is getting everyone in the shot looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. Try shouting a joke or a rude word just before you click, it is bound to prompt a reaction. Or count down from five, so everyone knows when you will be taking the picture, and can make sure their eyes are open. Make sure everyone in the picture stands close together, with the bridal couple in the centre of the wedding party.
You should also think ahead about how you will be framing your shot, and make sure when everyone is gathered for the picture, that each individual can be seen and they are not hidden behind someone else. Be sure to work quickly, as people get bored and restless, particularly at a wedding as they want to go and greet people, use the toilet and have a drink.
It is always helpful to visit the venue prior to the big day, so you can get an idea of the location and any areas that may require extra light. If you do this, be sure to take the time to note down where the best backgrounds are for the group shots. Most brides want to have the family shots taken outside the church or registry office, so make sure both venues will make a decent background for the shots, if not suggest an alternative. Finally, make sure there is enough room to accommodate the large group shots, and avoid taking the pictures in front of windows, as the light from the flash might reflect back.
Try to get as close to the group as you can, without cutting anyone out of the picture. Bear in mind that the closer you get, the more detail you can include in your pictures, and being near to the group will make it easier to communicate with everyone.
Author Bio:
Jay provides various tips and tricks on family photography, wedding photography and portrait photography.
