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Instagram and Pinterest are filled with family photography ideas that could easily become a family photo epic fail. Attempting to copy a picture done by a pro that has been taking family photos for decades is a surefire way for disaster!

Below are some inspiring family photography ideas that you can try doing by yourself and making them your own. Use these for motivation and combining them with your own style.

Play With Foreground And Background

The conventional way to take a picture is to make sure that everyone is uniformly sharp. However, if you play with the depth of the field, you’ll notice that there is more space for additional beautiful poses to the family picture taking. Perhaps you can shoot one photo using the conventional method but for the rest of the photos, take the risk of playing with the background and foreground. For example, you can create a great pose if you place the family members at varying angles and distances. By doing this, you get to highlight two or three family members, stressing the family dynamics. This technique works well for special events, like baby showers, where you can highlight the expectant mom. Creating a contrast between people in the background and foreground is also an effective way of making unique family photos.

Don’t Think Formal All The Time

Sports teams or photos of awardees for a local newspaper are typically shot in straight rows because these are formal types of photoshoots, plus it’s less troublesome to organize more than 20 people using this method. Family portraits, on the other hand, don’t need to be too formal, so why not try experimenting on diagonal or triangular lines? You can make adjustments to accommodate larger family sizes. Let the members pose side by side to create a wider type of photo. For this, you’re going to need a panoramic camera to take the picture successfully. Using the triangular method is one of the best photography ideas that would produce powerful images. Indeed, concepts for family photos come in all forms and sizes.

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Counting In Pets In The Picture Is Always A Sure Win

Dogs, cats, and the family’s other furry friends are frequently part of the family photo. Having them join in is an exciting way to go outside of that boring box of traditional picture-taking setups. The truth is, it’s not so easy to capture great photos with pets around, especially if there’s a toddler or infant in the family. Photographers remedy this by shooting in locations that the pet is accustomed to. When they’re comfortable, they are less restless and disturbing during the whole shoot. You can also check in with the family ahead, so you’ll know if they’re bringing their pet along. Perhaps you can prepare some treats that their four-legged family member would enjoy. When you’re taking pictures, remind the family to focus their eyes on the camera. It’s not completely choreography, but you just want to ensure that you are not doing the basics incorrectly. If you find it hard to capture perfects shots with the pet, you can depend on Photoshop to solve that problem.

Take Advantage Of The Golden Hour

If you’ve been brainstorming places to shoot, try thinking about when to shoot instead. The golden hour is the hour prior to sunset, a time when warm light hits the camera and yields beautiful family photos. It’s also easier to take photos during this time compared to noontime, as the sun is relatively lower, and it’s convenient to shoot with minimal equipment. To create inspiring and memorable family photos using the golden hour, ask the family members to pose where their backs are facing the sun. This adds more divergence between the individuals in the photos and the background itself. If you’re shooting a small family, you can utilize a reflector to balance out the exposure. For a large family, on the other hand, don’t use the camera flash and be sure to use the hood of your lens to prevent flaring.

Use Unique And Appropriate Props

Props are among the highlights of a creative and beautiful picture. By adding something colorful and unique, your family photos are upgraded to the next level. You can hang a ‘family’ sign or let the members hold out colorful letters that spell F-A-M-I-L-Y or L-O-V-E. For themed photoshoots like Halloween, try using pumpkins for props or a doing a pictorial at a pine tree farm for the Holidays. But don’t be tempted to overdo it. Just use one or two unique or meaningful materials that can add to the beauty of the family photos. Adding too many props can make the pictures look messy and busy.

Source: inspiredbythis.com

Takeaway

The fad for formal (and rigid) family photo poses has disappeared. Candid and genuine expressions have become a more effective and predominant alternative. Family photography ideas must concentrate on successfully capturing the family dynamics and each of the member’s qualities. Undoubtedly, you can’t do that just by copying a picture from Instagram or Pinterest. Rather, be inspired to do simple photo ideas that are suitable for various styles and use photography as self-expression. Learn to take snaps the way you want it, not the way it’s supposed to.