| How to Set Up Groups | | | | will sit at the front centre and certain others beside |
| Arrive at the venue earlier than you need to be | | | | them. For example the pipe band drum major often |
| there and try to arrange your set along the following | | | | likes to sit or stand in the centre. Get this part |
| lines. You should already have enquired about the size | | | | arranged first and then ask all others to place |
| of the group i.e. the number of individual members. | | | | themselves on your prearranged chairs. The group |
| For example a typical group at a Masonic Lodge | | | | members will know, but do remember to ask. I'll now |
| would number approximately twenty-seven. Ideally a | | | | show you a way to save some valuable time, end up |
| group of this size should be posed using two rows of | | | | with a more marketable photograph, and lighten up |
| chairs in the following manner. | | | | the group ready for their shot! When you have |
| Place a row of nine chairs in front, then place another | | | | arranged the group almost ready for the shot, ask |
| row of nine chairs behind them with enough space | | | | each person to turn and inspect the one next to |
| between the two rows for a line of people to stand. | | | | them for straight ties, dust on shoulder, squint |
| The front row will sit on the chairs, the back row will | | | | badges and so on, have then preen each other and |
| stand on the chairs and the middle row will stand on | | | | do your work for you. |
| the floor between the other two rows. The chairs at | | | | This saves you the potential for embarrassment |
| each side of centre should be angled slightly inward, | | | | through asking someone to make what for them |
| so four chairs on left of the center chair in each row | | | | what may be quite personal adjustment. Much easier |
| turned slightly in toward center and four chairs on | | | | to get their friends to do the asking! |
| right of center turned slightly in to center. This will | | | | Final Checks |
| give a nicer all round composition to the picture. | | | | Now make the final small but important touches, |
| Well-composed and symmetrical looking pictures | | | | check to make sure that someone who is really small |
| always sell more. People prefer them, even when | | | | has not ended up at the back and cannot be seen, |
| they are not consciously aware why. | | | | sometimes you may want to give this direction at |
| Check for Background Distractions | | | | the beginning, I prefer to wait to see where people |
| Now stand back and check through the lens, check | | | | naturally gravitate to, because they often feel more |
| for protruding or distracting background items. Be | | | | comfortable in the photograph if they are standing in |
| ruthless with this; clear the background of anything | | | | their spot of choice. |
| you suspect will look cluttered or intrusive. It is small | | | | Consistency Sells |
| checks like this that will improve the professionalism | | | | Aim for consistency. This tip will increase your sales. |
| of your service. I have had to do some emergency | | | | By this I mean check that all group members have |
| work to omit fire extinguishers and fire exit signs | | | | their hands on laps in a similar fashion, check that |
| from the background. You can often get round this | | | | they all have their feet in a similar stance and check |
| by strategically placing people, or altering your angle | | | | that all jackets are either open on buttoned. Always |
| of view. | | | | remember this tip, composition, symmetry and |
| Protocol Matters | | | | consistency sell! |
| Now check on protocol, for example certain people | | | | I hope this article will help you with setting up groups. |