| Capturing the perfect family portrait can be harder | | | | shot. A flash is essential for all indoor shots, as the |
| than you think; there are so many crucial factors that | | | | sun's natural light cannot aid your shot here. |
| can make the difference between failure and a | | | | Portraits that consider subtle symbolism can be all the |
| lasting memory the whole family is proud of. In this | | | | more special down the years, so make sure you |
| article I will highlight the simple, yet highly important | | | | consider this heavily when planning your shot. The |
| aspects of family portrait photography that all | | | | placement of the people within your shot can |
| amateur photographers need to know. | | | | highlight different relationships that you are trying to |
| Firstly you need to think about the background of | | | | capture; while the inclusion of props or family pets |
| your photo. It is important to understand that in a | | | | can provide a greater sense of family. Make note |
| family portrait the family is the focal point, not the | | | | that taking a family portrait with a potentially |
| background. Hence you should choose somewhere | | | | disobedient pet could be a challenge. |
| relatively dull to shoot your photo; look for a | | | | Your work is not done once you have taken your |
| repetitive pattern or colour (such as a wall or a bush). | | | | shot however; the first rule of photography is to |
| By choosing a background such as these you are | | | | take many pictures to account for any mistakes that |
| able to place more emphasis on the focal point of | | | | may occur. Even though we now have LCD screens |
| your shot. Another good way of adding attention to | | | | to check photos, they are also very tiny and it is |
| your family is to use a frame as a background, the | | | | very possible that you may miss certain mistakes |
| best example of which being an archway. This adds | | | | within your portrait. You may also need to edit your |
| more emphasis to your focal point by creating a | | | | photo later on for neatness or to add any effects |
| border around them. | | | | (such as black and white or sepia). To avoid cutting |
| In order to capture the perfect portrait it is | | | | of anyone's elbows while cropping your portrait, |
| important to get the lighting right at the time of | | | | make sure you leave some room on either side of |
| exposure. If you are taking your photo outside then | | | | your shot. |
| the best times tend to be either at early morning, or | | | | So now you are equipped with the knowledge of |
| at late afternoon (natural light is at its best at these | | | | how to capture the perfect family portrait your are |
| times). If you are situated in the shade, then you | | | | now able to head out and do just that. Just |
| should make use of your cameras flash. Remember | | | | remember that each of these points are crucial to |
| that cities such as Perth are blessed with many | | | | your photo, and not take heed of them would be |
| suitable landscapes for the perfect family portrait, so | | | | detrimental to your finished product. |
| carefully consider your location before taking your | | | | |