Family portraits are treasures. They serve as a reminder of great memories and irreplaceable moments. These special pictures document parents’ love, children’s growth, and most importantly, a family’s togetherness. Family portraits have a lot of value, and as such, they must be taken seriously and to the best of your ability. Since that’s the case, here are a few tips to make your family photography look more polished.
Use the right camera
The kind of camera you use directly affects the quality of your photo. To this end, you should use a mirrorless camera like the Sony Alpha a7 or Canon EOS for family photographs. These particular cameras have a dedicated autofocus sensor, so it automatically brings the subject into focus. This is great for self-taken family photographs, especially if no one’s going to be behind the camera. It’s also beneficial when you have fussy or active kids or want multiple shots taken. Despite all the movement, the photo will never appear blurry.
Mirrorless cameras ensure that the pictures are properly focused. As a result, you’ll get high-quality photos that are akin to a professional level, making them look more polished.
Wear timeless outfits
Photos are frozen moments in time. If you want your family photos to appear polished, everyone should wear timeless outfits. Don’t wear patterns that are too bold or distracting, or very trendy clothing. These will make your family photo look dated after a few years. Instead, go for neutral colors like black, white, navy, and beige since these are considered more elegant colors.
Additionally, color-coordinate everyone’s outfits. As much as possible, stick to a color palette of three colors, as this makes the photo look more cohesive. Finally, wear clothes that are considered classy to make the photo appear more polished. Semi-formal or smart casual clothing like collared shirts, blouses, skirts, and slacks are good options.
Utilize great lighting
To make your family photo look as if it’s taken professionally, you need to have great lighting. This means that everyone’s faces are bright and clear, and there are no shadows obstructing anything.
If you’re taking your photo outdoors, you can utilize natural light. Just make sure that the sun isn’t blaring down on the subjects because this can create harsh shadows. I prefer to take my photos in the shade on a bright day. There is no direct glare, but the colors are nice and bright. You may opt to take your photos in the morning when the lighting is softer, or in mid-afternoon when the sun is close to the setting but not enough that it casts an orange glow. In contrast, if you’re taking the photo indoors, use softbox lights. This mimic natural light so they’re not too bright to be unflattering but also not too dim that they create shadows.
Get creative with the formation
Having everyone stand in a straight row will make the photo look too uptight. After all, you are a family, so don’t be afraid to get close or be candid.
Make use of props like couches or stools and have a mix of sitting and standing family members. Also, make sure that no head is right on top of the other or on the same level, as a straight column of heads will appear awkward. Lastly, get close and put your arms around one another, or at least have some contact with the person next to you. Professionals usually encourage families to do this so the photo appears more authentic and natural, thus making it look like your family portrait was directed by an actual photographer.
Keeping these 4 tips in mind will definitely help your family photography look more polished. The you will have a wonderful photo to cherish for years to come.