12/31/2011

How To Take Family Portraits

By Michal Foster


The best shots we have with our family are those taken when we least expect it and during happy times. And we probably already have plenty of them since it is easy to shoot with our digital cameras and camera phones. As much fun it is to do so, perhaps it is time that we take a little more official to show the next generation. What we require this time is a professionally shot family portrait.

A family photograph is as much for the benefit of the subsequent generations as it is ours. It is the supreme family remembrance, a little that will tell the children of our children their family history. It also commemorates our milestones as family. Each member born and every candle we blow on our cake is worthy of a family photograph. And besides, it's tradition. So although we have lots of family pictures already, they are good for our picture album. Family portraits need a more professional treatment.

Every family photograph of course includes the entire family. And with every typical family, kids are always present. kids will always act as kids so it is almost guaranteed that the photo take won't finish in just a couple of minutes. Sitting still for a few minutes isn't their forte. Make certain that you have adequate candies and toys to induce them into behaving. Make them relaxed as much as possible as well. This is also true for the elder family members. The warmth from the photographer's lights or, if the picture shoot takes place al fresco, from the sunlight can wear them down. Take their meds as a preventive measure and allot a room or shade area for them to relax.

Confer with your family the type of picture you will take. If you have to, vote on the most popular recommendations so everybody will feel involved. You can have an outdoor photo or take it indoors. Then talk about what theme you would like. Traditional family photographs go for formal images, but it would also be exciting to have a theme like all-red motif photo or mafia-themed shot where everybody gets to dress in mafia boss-like suits and dresses. After agreeing on the picture treatment, tell your photographer and let him direct the present to from then on. Just remember to avoid renowned landmarks as backgrounds because the emphasis of the picture will divert to the backdrop.

Even though we all want to present to perfect smiles in the photo, accept the fact that not everybody will smile like Barbie and Ken. Some might smirk, while others might refuse to smile at all. And that's just fine because even though we want to incorporate a small formality in the photo, we also want to present to each one's character. Nothing is more depressing than a family photograph featuring members with fake smiles.




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