03 February 2013
group photos, especially family group photos are often neglected while they are being taken... people have too much urgency and suddenly everyone finds a work somewhere which makes them hurry.... the end result - someone is missing from the group photo.... its so common... it probably happened to everyone at least once.... but every group shot is precious.... I never found two group photos of the same group turning the same... either some people changed or they gained more members or some people went missing from the group or something else that I can't think of has happened.... the main lesson always is, don't miss an opportunity with a group shot.... either being in the group or shooting a group... its a precious moment...
this writing tries to explore some of the learning I had while shooting group photos....
persuade, persuade, persuade.....
its true that its very difficult to get everyone in one place for a group shot... sometimes you may even have to hear some negative things for organising this, as if you're doing some harm to them.... yet, you have to have patience and have to convince others about the benefits of the venture... tell them how precious the picture would be after years....
use any camera.....
if your pro-level DSLR is too far away in your car and there's a risk that bringing that camera may result in missing the complete group, forget about the DSLR and use whatever you have with you.... this is the safe shot..... if you still get the luxury of time, get the highest megapixels and the biggest and the heaviest camera.... whatever!
forget about the technicalities....
a lot of the times we get too much involved in the technical matters and get too much into our gears.... while its OK to get the technical portions right to make sure that the end result looks good and also gives options regarding what you can do with it, make sure that it doesn't take too much time... too much time may push people's patience and may result in exclusion of some figures from the photo....
give priority to children....
if the group contains children, especially small children, always give them priority.... they're the most difficult to include in a photo... make sure they're properly fed or not feeling ill or sleepy.... and children would change the most when you do the next group shoot....
choose location beforehand....
if you can manage the time, choose the location well before you get the group together.... that will save time for you and you could also get prepared for any eventuality (e.g. light direction and intensity, weather, security, etc.)
use occasions.....
various occasions bring in the most number of people together, thus giving the best opportunity to get a group photo.... sometimes, we become too busy during occasions or parties and may forget group photos altogether.... get the job delegated to someone who would not forget.... if you have the latitude and if the occasion is big enough, you can think about hiring a professional to do the job for you..... that way, you don't miss the opportunity.... you don't know who might be absent from the next group photo!
and if you are interested, you can also have a look at our group photo-shoot offers "My Family My Moment" for more elaborate group photos and "One-hour Magic" for a short session with a maximum of four people....
what experiences do you have regarding group photos?.... do you have any tips to share with us?.... leave your experiences... and thanks for reading.....
group photos, especially family group photos are often neglected while they are being taken... people have too much urgency and suddenly everyone finds a work somewhere which makes them hurry.... the end result - someone is missing from the group photo.... its so common... it probably happened to everyone at least once.... but every group shot is precious.... I never found two group photos of the same group turning the same... either some people changed or they gained more members or some people went missing from the group or something else that I can't think of has happened.... the main lesson always is, don't miss an opportunity with a group shot.... either being in the group or shooting a group... its a precious moment...
this writing tries to explore some of the learning I had while shooting group photos....
This photo was taken in 2010, and if taken again, it would be completely different
persuade, persuade, persuade.....
its true that its very difficult to get everyone in one place for a group shot... sometimes you may even have to hear some negative things for organising this, as if you're doing some harm to them.... yet, you have to have patience and have to convince others about the benefits of the venture... tell them how precious the picture would be after years....
This photo, taken in 2010 is significant not just because its difficult to get this whole group together again, the old country-house used as a backdrop is gone now
use any camera.....
if your pro-level DSLR is too far away in your car and there's a risk that bringing that camera may result in missing the complete group, forget about the DSLR and use whatever you have with you.... this is the safe shot..... if you still get the luxury of time, get the highest megapixels and the biggest and the heaviest camera.... whatever!
Taken in 2009, this photo can't be taken again; ever... because the central figure in the back left his loved ones within a month of taking this photo. This event was one of the biggest persuasion behind my concentration in portrait photography
forget about the technicalities....
a lot of the times we get too much involved in the technical matters and get too much into our gears.... while its OK to get the technical portions right to make sure that the end result looks good and also gives options regarding what you can do with it, make sure that it doesn't take too much time... too much time may push people's patience and may result in exclusion of some figures from the photo....
Taken in 2007 with a 10-sec timer, this photo reminds us of our honeymoon times. The photo can be taken again today, albeit with some hassle, but it would look a lot different.
give priority to children....
if the group contains children, especially small children, always give them priority.... they're the most difficult to include in a photo... make sure they're properly fed or not feeling ill or sleepy.... and children would change the most when you do the next group shoot....
Whenever there would be children in the photo, the photo goes old within a very short period of time. If this photo is repeated today, it would be totally different, even though it was taken less than a year ago in May 2012.
choose location beforehand....
if you can manage the time, choose the location well before you get the group together.... that will save time for you and you could also get prepared for any eventuality (e.g. light direction and intensity, weather, security, etc.)
use occasions.....
various occasions bring in the most number of people together, thus giving the best opportunity to get a group photo.... sometimes, we become too busy during occasions or parties and may forget group photos altogether.... get the job delegated to someone who would not forget.... if you have the latitude and if the occasion is big enough, you can think about hiring a professional to do the job for you..... that way, you don't miss the opportunity.... you don't know who might be absent from the next group photo!
and if you are interested, you can also have a look at our group photo-shoot offers "My Family My Moment" for more elaborate group photos and "One-hour Magic" for a short session with a maximum of four people....
what experiences do you have regarding group photos?.... do you have any tips to share with us?.... leave your experiences... and thanks for reading.....
