Family posing - been working on it!

[reader0428]

I've really been working at posing families - most of my clients are looking for large wall portraits with everyone facing the camera in a pose, as well as candid, lifestyle shots for gift prints or albums. To me, the posed shots are much harder - making sure everyone is at a flattering angle, no bra straps showing, no weird looking hands and feet, etc. So here are a few from this weekend's session. I think I'm most pleased with these out of the family sessions I've done so far, but I am looking for CC specifically on the posing. I realize I've exceeded the CC pic count, but just this once I wanted to show some of the variety that we tried while also asking for CC - so please forgive me. :)

PS - Even looking at these I see things I would change, but I'm pretty pleased with the overall compositions...would love some other feedback...

1. Wish I'd done something different with mom's arm - feet are chopped a bit - little boy's head will be swapped with one where he is looking...




2.



3. mom instructed dad not to smile much on this one...grrr...and no retouching yet...



4. no retouching yet...



5.



6. and my fave!


Thanks for looking.

[cstewart1977]

Hi Amanda,

I have just about zero experience with family portraits, so I'll just say what I think.

I like these overall. #5 is my favorite. I feel like it has the least amount of awkwardness in it. I can read this picture easily from left to right. My eye snaps to Mom and her wind blown hair, then travels easily down to the little kid, to dad, to big kid.

#1 is my least favorite mainly due to the separation, but I also don't like entire hands hidden inside of pockets.

[biggin]

#1 I would think if they were moved further back on the bridge and did not have the rail and trees between them it would help a lot.

[reader0428]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Chris and Blake. Chris, I have a feeling that the #5 pose will be the one the family chooses...but sometimes families surprise me. :)