Help!! Family of 20 wants a pic

[Clayton Wallace]

Check with Houston Camera Exchange. If they don't rent, they can tell you who does. One issue may be power at the location.

Are you guys talking about rentals at Lighttec? http://lighttec.com/
Ladder is a good idea unless you know already where you are going to be shooting and can use the terrain/landscaping or a structure. Spend the majority of your time A. making sure you can light everyone properly and B. composing the group in a 16x20 friendly format. Don't forget to leave some of your frame 'blank' on the sides as the orientation of the xt's sensor orientation isn't anything close to 4:3.

Is your shoot tonight? In any case rent your strobes and battery pack (if no power handy) ahead of time as much as possible. Oh, make sure to shoot several frames as someone WILL have their eyes closed or head turned or...I almost always end up swapping heads or smiles around with larger groups.

[sbp]

for sitting/standing arraingement possible take two chair for parent.
Put all kids in ground in front.

[jagphoto]

Originally Posted by Gordon

Because it's better with big groups to get some sort of 'stack' going on in the picture,
otherwise you have two rows of 10 people, which is a pretty boring photo.

If you can get above them, you can stack the heads, without them having to perform some
sort of complex pyramid from cheerleader tryouts ;)


Doesn't have to be a ladder, if you can shoot down on them from a balcony or something, but
a difference in height from you to them can be really helpful. Either that or pose them on some sort of staircase or something, maybe.


Basically, it's a composition thing and how you want to arrange them. Good luck though, 20
is a large group to try and get everyone with their eyes open at the same time - best to take
a few extra frames.

I once did a shoot with 150 people - had to blend a few frames in photoshop to get everyone looking/ eyes open/ not weird expressions.

Thanks Gordon. I do plan on having a ladder. Also, the location has a pretty cool little hill that I plan on arranging them on. I took a walk with the client today and she agreed on and liked the location.

[kimberley]

Is this by the lake and the boat house?

[jagphoto]

Moved to new thread.