Family Portraits - Your Story, Your Way
Family portraits have always been the means to capture images of family members for posterity's sake. Until the invention of the camera, and more recently the digital camera, portraits were only available to those that could afford to have an artist do a family rendition. While the artist was able to provide a personal touch, it often required long sessions of sitting and posing to achieve the final product.
Family portraits are still popular today. With the proliferation of digital cameras, almost everyone can get in on the act of capturing these moments in time. While professional photographers will be looking for things an amateur photographer might miss, the final images can be quite impressive.
Let us look at some ways you can capture your unique family story through the lens of the camera.
Professional photographer or do it yourself?
When you have your family portraits done by a professional photographer, remember, you are paying for more than just someone to snap off a few photographs. A professional photographer brings with them good quality photographic equipment and the expertise to operate it efficiently and effectively. They are the artist and their camera is the brush. However, their expertise does not stop there. They will also have an eye for proper lighting, color coordination and will have the presence of mind to ensure everyone has their eyes open and there are no undesired elements are in the photograph. You can choose to attempt doing your family portraits yourself, but if you were to place them next to images a professional photographer would have taken, I am certain you would see a significant difference. You may not notice little brother giving his sister bunny ears, but a professional would catch that right away. In addition, other things such as uneven shoulders, ties askew, or reflections from eyeglasses receive resolution before taking the photo. If you are trying to do this yourself, especially with a timer, a lot can happen between the time you set the timer and the image records to the memory card.
Make sure everyone looks his or her best.
There is a difference between family photographs and family portraits. You will want family portraits to portray the family members in the most flattering manner. This will mean that facial blemishes should be covered with make-up if possible and those shiny bald spots powdered down. Participants should appear as natural as possible, both in their appearance and in their mannerisms. The clothing worn by the participants in family portraits should be color coordinated as much as is possible. Ultimately, the family personality and style will determine their attire, but extreme colors and prints usually do not make for good photography. Logos do not belong in this image unless the image is associated with sponsorship of an event. If you are formal family portraits done, consult ahead of time with the photographer as to the preferred attire and make up. Family photographs, on the other hand, do not need to follow such formal rules. Family photographs will tell a story. Something captured the eye of the photographer at that point in time. The photographer may have taken steps to compose the photograph, but the family story may very well include that psychedelic shirt.
Smile or do not smile, but the camera sees all.
In most instances, the face will radiate the mood of its owner. It is preferred the mood is happy and upbeat. For an eight year old, sitting for a portrait may not be the most pleasing thing to do on a Saturday afternoon, but a little pre-planning and involvement with the process can do wonders for the finished product. A bad mood shows up in that final print. Post-production touch up will not do much about the scowl on someone's face.
Choose your background.
Family portraits can have a variety of backgrounds. You may choose to go with the more traditional and formal setting consisting of a plain background. In order to show more of the family personality, you may choose a more active and colorful setting. First, settle on the purpose of the photograph. Is this going to be a picture that is going to hang in a corporate boardroom somewhere? Is it going to be a picture that will hang on a living room wall telling the story of a family that enjoys being together? Do you want it to depict some of the interests or activities of the family? Choose an appropriate background that supports the desired outcome. This portrait is all about you and your family, so make it uniquely yours.
The family portrait should elicit a "tell me more" response from those who see it for the first time. It really is more than just a picture recorded at a point in time. There is a story behind it that only the family members can tell.
Even with digital photography, you can have the portrait printed on canvas to look more like a painted portrait.
Raleigh Conrad has always had a fascination for consumer electronics. The purchase of his first digital camera opened up a completely new world of interest in preserving important events for future generations. Now with Stanton USB Turntables. For more visit Photographer.
Family portraits are still popular today. With the proliferation of digital cameras, almost everyone can get in on the act of capturing these moments in time. While professional photographers will be looking for things an amateur photographer might miss, the final images can be quite impressive.
Let us look at some ways you can capture your unique family story through the lens of the camera.
Professional photographer or do it yourself?
When you have your family portraits done by a professional photographer, remember, you are paying for more than just someone to snap off a few photographs. A professional photographer brings with them good quality photographic equipment and the expertise to operate it efficiently and effectively. They are the artist and their camera is the brush. However, their expertise does not stop there. They will also have an eye for proper lighting, color coordination and will have the presence of mind to ensure everyone has their eyes open and there are no undesired elements are in the photograph. You can choose to attempt doing your family portraits yourself, but if you were to place them next to images a professional photographer would have taken, I am certain you would see a significant difference. You may not notice little brother giving his sister bunny ears, but a professional would catch that right away. In addition, other things such as uneven shoulders, ties askew, or reflections from eyeglasses receive resolution before taking the photo. If you are trying to do this yourself, especially with a timer, a lot can happen between the time you set the timer and the image records to the memory card.
Make sure everyone looks his or her best.
There is a difference between family photographs and family portraits. You will want family portraits to portray the family members in the most flattering manner. This will mean that facial blemishes should be covered with make-up if possible and those shiny bald spots powdered down. Participants should appear as natural as possible, both in their appearance and in their mannerisms. The clothing worn by the participants in family portraits should be color coordinated as much as is possible. Ultimately, the family personality and style will determine their attire, but extreme colors and prints usually do not make for good photography. Logos do not belong in this image unless the image is associated with sponsorship of an event. If you are formal family portraits done, consult ahead of time with the photographer as to the preferred attire and make up. Family photographs, on the other hand, do not need to follow such formal rules. Family photographs will tell a story. Something captured the eye of the photographer at that point in time. The photographer may have taken steps to compose the photograph, but the family story may very well include that psychedelic shirt.
Smile or do not smile, but the camera sees all.
In most instances, the face will radiate the mood of its owner. It is preferred the mood is happy and upbeat. For an eight year old, sitting for a portrait may not be the most pleasing thing to do on a Saturday afternoon, but a little pre-planning and involvement with the process can do wonders for the finished product. A bad mood shows up in that final print. Post-production touch up will not do much about the scowl on someone's face.
Choose your background.
Family portraits can have a variety of backgrounds. You may choose to go with the more traditional and formal setting consisting of a plain background. In order to show more of the family personality, you may choose a more active and colorful setting. First, settle on the purpose of the photograph. Is this going to be a picture that is going to hang in a corporate boardroom somewhere? Is it going to be a picture that will hang on a living room wall telling the story of a family that enjoys being together? Do you want it to depict some of the interests or activities of the family? Choose an appropriate background that supports the desired outcome. This portrait is all about you and your family, so make it uniquely yours.
The family portrait should elicit a "tell me more" response from those who see it for the first time. It really is more than just a picture recorded at a point in time. There is a story behind it that only the family members can tell.
Even with digital photography, you can have the portrait printed on canvas to look more like a painted portrait.
Raleigh Conrad has always had a fascination for consumer electronics. The purchase of his first digital camera opened up a completely new world of interest in preserving important events for future generations. Now with Stanton USB Turntables. For more visit Photographer.
Comments
Post a Comment