Most people just take a standard group photo, and they are nice, but why not get a bit more creative so your group photos will be much more memorable and fun for all involved. Whichever you decide to do, these tips will help you achieve your dream group shots.
1. Group shots can get very chaotic. As the photographer you need to remain in control, and be able to LOUDLY direct everyone to where they need to be positioned for the best shot. It helps if you have a few wranglers who can help you position people where you want them to go. If you are not a natural born leader or very loud, identify someone within the group who is, and have them help you. Family and friends will listen to them with your instruction and they will love the control.
2. Plan ahead. Scout a perfect safe location, make sure there are no people in the background or at least, as few as humanly possible.
3. Since you are getting creative, it's best to brief your group of what you are looking to accomplish with your shot BEFORE they get to the location and are all confused and chaotic. Be sure to especially brief your helpers or wranglers so they don't inadvertently undo positions and ideas that you are trying to accomplish with the poses of your group.
4. If your shot involves the elderly and the young, place the elderly first (seated) and the young last because the young have zero attention spans and will not stay still or not crying for long. If the young get frustrated, give them a toy in hand or bribe them with candy (yes candy) to encourage them to sit still for just a second. Try your best not to separate them from their friends or family members.
5. For more energetic shots, your group may not be able to keep it up for long. Take a couple and then photoshop and compose the images together later if everyone isn't doing exactly what you needed in the one shot.
6. It is hard to get everyone to smile and look in the same direction all at once, so set up your camera to take multiple shots seconds apart and just keep firing. Eventually in the set you will get the shot where you have the most or all people looking and smiling and some funny outtakes as well.
7. Avoid the Poop Shoot. People tend to go in the front of your shots and squat down so others behind can be seen making it look like they are pooping. Short people in front, taller in back, or if taller must be somewhere in front, have them sit, fully come to s squat, or sit on the ground rather then hunch down or half squat.
8. Take a few shots, re-focus, and take a few more. Don't just assume because you focused the first time, all your shorts will be clear.
9. Don't ignore the weather. If it's too hot or too cold, don't spend forever arranging people in the outdoor environment. Tell them as much as you can where you want them positioned in a cooler or warmer environment, and then when outside, get them in and out as fast as you can.
10. Everyone will want the photo. Make sure you have emails, or contacts for people wanting to get the shot and let them know where it will be posted or who it will be given to.
Good take❗️❗️❗️ Me and my friends did 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16(on last Valentine's Day), 17 and. 18 We tried 1, 10 and 14 but it didn't work out well.
My experience with jump style shots is that you definitely need your group to practice 'how to jump' and then how to jump.. together... because just saying jump up high means different ways to different people.
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Good take❗️❗️❗️
Me and my friends did 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16(on last Valentine's Day), 17 and. 18
We tried 1, 10 and 14 but it didn't work out well.
by the way, creative take @BeeNee 😃😃
My experience with jump style shots is that you definitely need your group to practice 'how to jump' and then how to jump.. together... because just saying jump up high means different ways to different people.
Yeah! We are still working on it 😉😉
Great tips - I love the optical illusion shots and I shouldn't have but I guffawed at the "You bastards" one.
i love the video game, the optical illusion, the peter pan, the perfect ten, mirior image and jump shot best 😊