PHOTOGRAPHY POSE

Which Photography Pose
produces the Best Family Photos?

"I'm amazed at everything that contributes to a good photography pose.
Probably why my pictures weren't too good before reading this."

The pressure is on. You realize without the right pose, your photo is doomed. Well, not doomed exactly (sorry for the melodramatics), but shall we say it will lack a certain pizzazz?

But, don't worry. Find out how to go from deleting-the-file to FRAMED ON THE WALL!

If you have a fairly good understanding of photography definitions, we're ready to go. If not, let's do a quick review of key photography features and terms.

OK, you have your digital camera, extra memory cards, rechargeable batteries, your "photography poses check list" of desired photographs...

What? No list?

You thought you'd just wing it?! Tsk, tsk. Not this time.

That was the old "beginner photography" you. The new "professional photography" you (well, OK, "semi-pro") comes prepared.

There are two categories of GENERAL ADVICE which apply, regardless of whether you're using a digital camera to take a family photography pose, baby picture, pet portrait, group picture, or even a staged funny photo.

They are Planning Advice and Location Advice.

Let's cover the first category, Planning Advice.

Planning Advice for Photography Poses

1) Prepare For The Event
Prepare for the event by thinking about every photograph you want to take and what kind of photography pose or poses you would like to capture. Consider who, where, how, and the type of environment.

2) Take Multiple Photographs
Take multiple shots of each pose (remember, digital memory is reusable, a.k.a. "free"). Regardless of what you say or do, people will blink. And don't count on spotting small problems on the tiny camera LCD screen (even on full magnification); which leads to...

3) Check the LCD Screen
Check the digital camera's LCD screen only for general framing of the picture, extreme movements, visibility of faces, and the histogram.

Do not use the LCD screen for any fine review of the picture! (That is what your computer is for.)

Note that you can have a fantastic photography pose; arrange everyone perfectly; and, have the photograph "frozen" (no blinking, and no shaking of the camera)...but, when you check it out in the LCD, you see 2 drunks fighting in the background!

4) Funny Phrases
Have some funny phrases handy to use just before you take the photo.

Don't use them when setting up for the shot. And, don't use the same phrase all the time. Throw in funny anecdotes, phrases, names, words that you know your family will find more amusing than "cheese." A natural smile looks four times better than a fake one.

Our second category is...

Location Advice for Photography Poses

Taking indoor family photography, is very different than outdoor family photograph (duh!). For INDOOR pictures...

1) Wide Angle
You will tend to use the wide angle more often than your telephoto setting. Pay particular attention to your "end people" (those farthest to the right and the left in your viewfinder), and verify there is enough space in the picture, so that if cropping is required, the end people don't have to lose a limb.

2) The Flash
Flash considerations are critical. Do not be outside your "flash range." For example, if at ISO 100, your flash can properly illuminate 12 feet, don't attempt a pose that requires anyone to stand at 14 feet (unless, of course, it's evil cousin Ira who you want to appear in darkness).

3) Plan "B"
If you need to be further away than your on-camera flash allows, here are 3 things you can try...

Consider purchasing an external flash unit for your camera.
Increase the ISO setting (but not so much as to produce "noise")
Physically move to a significantly brighter location.

4) Watch Your Background
If there are distracting (or competing) features, change the background. The best photography pose in the world won't look right with a distracting background. And finally...

5) Mirror, Mirror, on The Wall
If there are mirrors or reflective surfaces in the background and you can't find a different location, only take the picture in such a way that the flash is not perpendicular to the surface, but at an angle (unless you want a nice photo of your flash).

Outdoor photography addresses different issues...

6) The Sun
Avoid photographing in direct sunlight, or in mixed light and shade, especially faces. Optimal lighting for almost any photography pose, results from a slightly overcast sky.

7) Shade
When photographing in shade, use fill-flash when necessary. And, really finally...

8) Beauty
If practical, take the picture at one of the beautiful natural settings near you. Imagine the result of a creative photography pose captured in a stunning environment. Can you say: "over the mantle!"?

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That's it for general advice that applies to any photography pose. To learn tips about specific photography poses, click on appropriate photos below. This will open pages on the pose you're interested in. (Note: "Photography poses," "Photography portraits," and "Photography pictures" are used synonymously; sorry, I bore easily.)

Oh, Oh... SOAPBOX ALERT!

As you're hopefully aware by now, this site is NOT intended for professionals, but rather for beginning and enthusiast photographers who want better results. The reason it is mentioned now, is because we're going to be getting into photography poses, lighting, and positioning.

Therefore, if you begin to think: "But, wouldn't this pose work better with a solid blue backdrop?" or "Shouldn't you use three strobes for this photo, to reduce shadows and provide a softer look?" you're probably correct.

However, 98.2844% of the people reading this (I've done very precise research, as you could tell) not only don't know what a strobe is, but don't care.

The advice on this site is meant to provide you with the information you need to create, process, and store the best quality photographs possible without professional equipment! You don't need great equipment to take great photos; you just need to know what to do with the equipment you already have.

So, if you're not ready to shell out $3,000 for a top notch digital SLR, you may want to check out What is An Affordable Digital Camera?

OK, I'm down from my soapbox...

As a reward for listening, help yourself to these free goodies. And to take better family photography pictures, click on a category below. (We even have unique photography eBooks.)

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