Creating the perfect family portrait may be harder than you think.There are many important factors that can make the difference between disappointment and lasting memories for the whole family.
Remember that the family is the focal point not the background.You should choose the background carefully.It has to be relatively dull;it should have a repetitive pattern or color (a wall or a bush).Another effective way of adding attention is to use a frame in a background,for example an archway or brunches from the trees.This adds more attention to your subject by creating a nice border around them.It also helps to frame the image and close down the empty space of sky above the family.Think also about short depth of field and make sure that your background is way out of focus.
It is important to get the perfect lighting and have the right exposure.Try to schedule your session early morning,or at late afternoon (natural light is at its best at these times).If you are situated in the shade,then you should make use of your cameras flash. Remember that cities such as Winnipeg are blessed with many suitable landscapes for the perfect family portrait,so carefully consider your location before taking your shot.A flash is essential for all indoor shots,as the sun's natural light cannot aid your shot here.
Portraits that consider subtle symbolism can be all the more special down the years,so make sure you consider this heavily when planning your shot.The placement of the people within your shot can highlight different relationships that you are trying to capture;while the inclusion of props or family pets can provide a greater sense of family.Make note that taking a family portrait with a potentially disobedient pet could be a challenge.Think also about composition.The safest composition is always considered triangular.Make sure that all the faces are well visible and are well spaced one from the other.
Your work is not done once you have taken your shot however;the first rule of photography is to take many pictures to account for any mistakes that may occur.Even though we now have LCD screens to check photos,they are also very tiny and it is very possible that you may miss certain mistakes within your portrait.You may also need to edit your photo later on for neatness or to add any effects (such as black and white or sepia).To avoid cutting of anyone's elbows while cropping your portrait,make sure you leave some room on either side of your shot.