| Family portrait photography has become more than | | | | asymmetrically arranged can add a special dimension, |
| just photographs of your family. | | | | or depth to the image. |
| Many modern photographers now view portraits as a | | | | On a practical note, when composing your image try |
| form of artistic expression. The feeling is that a well | | | | arranging your subjects in odd numbers if possible as |
| composed portrait can show the bond shared by the | | | | odd numbers always work better than even |
| family, how they feel, and represent who they are. | | | | numbers, with three the best number of all, of |
| Portraits are no longer just about smiling and staring | | | | course. |
| into the camera. They can be both unique and | | | | You will see that posing three people in a triangle |
| creative. | | | | gives a very pleasing result. |
| Each family is different and an artistic family picture | | | | If there are only two people try to avoid side-by-side |
| can express the individuality of each particular family's | | | | pictures - have one slightly behind or ahead of the |
| distinctive qualities and relationships. When the family | | | | other. |
| members, and anyone else for that matter, look at a | | | | Four people can be problem but you can stagger |
| modern family portrait, it should be possible to have | | | | them i.e. as two people plus two people. |
| the power to invoke feelings and emotions much like | | | | When you have more than four people, you can try |
| fine art does. | | | | to stagger them in a diagonal line. |
| Artistic portraits of a family can tell a story, and even | | | | Different angles can also introduce a new element to |
| one solitary image can induce profound emotional | | | | the portrait. Rather than the typical straight on shot, |
| reactions, within that family. What makes an artistic | | | | the photograph can be taken from an elevated |
| portrait different from the older portraits? | | | | position. |
| Traditionally, family portraits were taken with | | | | The photograph could also be shot from below, |
| everyone standing or sitting stiffly, in a uniform | | | | looking up at the family, or from the side or any |
| group, all looking straight at the camera. Now many | | | | number of other angles. These alterations in |
| artistic photographers have changed all that. | | | | perspective can completely change the whole look |
| Composition, and consideration of the rules of | | | | and feel of the image. Colors, or lack of color can |
| composition such as the Rule of Thirds, is aimed to | | | | dramatically affect the appearance of the image as |
| create something that is more than a snap or stiff | | | | well. |
| conventional group. | | | | For example, dramatic emphasis can be added to a |
| Examples could be a couple who may stare lovingly | | | | photo by creating a black and white portrait. Black |
| into each others eyes, or portraits of a family, | | | | and white or sepia colored portraits can often stand |
| artistically composed, with a new baby which could | | | | out and appear more elegant. Art offers limitless |
| have all the members gazing at the subject baby. | | | | possibilities for the enhancement of family portrait |
| A dramatic effect could also be accomplished by | | | | photography. |
| having the family members looking in different | | | | Your portrait should exhibit your family's individuality, |
| directions and perhaps at different angles. | | | | and the right photograph will be both a record of |
| Conventional family portrait photography featured | | | | your family and an artistic expression of who and |
| the family grouped in the center of the frame but | | | | what they are. |
| now the artistic appearance of a family off-center or | | | | |