Contest For A Family Posing Guide + 3 Keys for Successful Family Portrait Sessions
September 19, 2012 | 753 Comments |Add a comment
The contest has ended – but make sure to read the article below to learn 3 keys for successful portrait sessions.
The 3 winners are:
Entry 504 – Karen Halbert
Entry 302 – Jeanette Soffe
Entry 54 – Craig Burlingame
For everyone else, Angie was kind enough to give all MCP readers a $50 off code toward the family posing guide, good through September 26th. Use the code MCP at checkout to get 50 dollars off the posing guide
Three keys for successful family sessions:
1. Get on the same page as to what you clients expect and want out of session. Of course I would like to believe that every client of mine wants exactly my style of photography, but this isn’t always the case.
Communicate with your clients and ask them what they want from their session. I try to gauge if they want more posed (traditional) images or if they want more candid images. I usually do some of both, but
it’s always good to know what to focus on more. I will ask them, “do you want most everyone looking at the camera and smiling for most of your family images”? BE SPECIFIC. It’s the worst feeling after they have seen
their images and feeling like you didn’t capture what they have imagined. If they say to me that they just want me to do my thing… then I basically do what I have posted on my blog (a good mixture of posed and candid images).
2. Be prepared. Bring an assistant if needed. There is so much going on at a family session and it’s completely overwhelming at times. Having an extra set of hands really does make all the difference. I have my assistant get the children’s attention so I can focus on posing families, light and my camera settings. She also hands out smarties for every little good thing the kids do! Works like a charm.
3. Have the families interact a lot to create natural expressions. Making up fun games for the whole family to enjoy makes a huge difference. Just telling them to interact or act natural simple doesn’t work. You have
to have them interact! I shoot away while they are playing away and then right after they are done playing I have them look my way while they are still laughing and enjoying each other.
Now it is your turn to enter to win the new family posing guide by Simplicity Photography. We have three guides to give away – so three people will win!
To Enter:
- Leave a comment in this post on the MCP Blog letting us know either 1) the thing you need the most help with when it comes to photographing families or 2) your favorite family photography tip.
- For extra entries, pin something from this post to Pinterest and/or share this post on your Facebook page, Twitter, etc. Then leave a comment letting us know you did.
- For one more bonus entry, join our ALL NEW Facebook Group – where you can interact, learn and help photographers from all over the world. This is more interactive than our Facebook Page, so check it out. If you request an invite to join, we will approve you within 24 hour. Add a comment to this blog post letting us know for your extra credit.
- Check back on Sunday night, September 23rd, at the top of this post, to see if you are one of the lucky three winners.
Next Post: Project MCP: Highlights for September Challenge #4 and October Challenges Revealed
I pinned before I even realized there was a contest! http://pinterest.com/pin/47921183506122671/
I would love more tips on how to get families to interact naturally and relax in front of the camera.
Already joined your facebook group. Can’t wait to learn more there!
I requested to join the group on FB – thank you!
Pinned it too!
I’d love to win! Looking for new ideas to get those natural poses, not the standard Christmas Card pose:)
I need the most help posing more than 4 people- it gives me a headache! I would LOVE to win so I can improve my posing skills and create even happier clients!
Pinned and shared on FB. =)
My tip would be to stick a Pez dispenser in your hotshoe to help get the attention of little ones. =)
I really need help posing families. I’m starting to get busy again and want to up my game for those family sessions!
Also pinned this image to my pinterest board!
pinterest.com/estg
Would love some tips on getting families to interact with each other in order to get the most authentic, natural looking poses.
Joined the FB group!
Pinned!
I need to remember to slow down at family shoots. I get so busy worrying about rushing to get them done that I don’t catch the little things. I need to remember to take a deep breath and slow down.
I join the FB group. I am excited for this.
My number one tip for photographing families is FOCUS on fun for MOM. I used to focus on the kiddos as my main challenge…getting them to naturally smile, or be still, or look right at me. WRONG. I now focus on mom having FUN and being relaxed. When that clicks into place, the entire session mood changes in an instant. The kids relax, dad chills, everyone plays together…mom is the key and glue to the family.
That’s a good tip!
I would benefit from learning ways to have families interact with one another. I love a good combo of both candid and posed!
It would be great to see Angie’s insight into posing. With the holiday season coming up, it would be nice to get some fresh ideas. I’ve been shooting more weddings lately, so I could use some inspiration. Thanks for the giveaway!
Also joined the FB Group.
I requested to join the MCP group on FB!
I am starting a portrait business and need help with getting more natural expressions from my clients.
I could really use help posing! Plus, how to get them looking natural. I just love it when I ask them to interact and they look at me like I’m crazy… you would think they’ve just met!
I joined the FB Group. =)
Pinned here: http://pinterest.com/pin/210613720044991687/
I’m always trying to capture my kids’ real smiles. The older ones “over pose” as soon as a camera comes out!
I love families and young kiddos but I have trouble trying to get them all close enough together to interact naturally and still in focus. I would really love to win the guide and can’t wait to learn more!
Also, I pinned all the tips – for extra entries, but also because I like them!
Joined the group! Super duper pumped about that
I think I need some help with knowing how to relax and slow down during a family shoot and to help the clients relax also.
Also, joined new facebook group!
Pinned to Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/rad196/
Thanks!
Pinned an image on Pinterest!
Shared on my Facebook page.
I would say the thing I need the most help with is getting more comfortable posing families. I always have so many ideas but am not good at voicing them.
I need help with. Getting more natural expressions at my photo shoots. I love the tip about creating a game for the family to play and then shoot away. Great advice!
I need huge help with little ones – oh say about 3 years old! Some are easy, some are not so easy. Going with the flow, I’m sure, is a great thing, but more than that…I’d love tips and things.
Sent request to join FB group. Looking forward to utilizing such a great group.
I need to work on having every family member in focus and in good light. I’m also working on finding my flow with family sessions in the home.
You know I definitely joined the FB group!!
I pinned a picture to pinterest! Can i just say, I love pinterest!
It seems like the family photos posted with helpful articiles like this always have a mom, dad, and 2.5 young children …. cute, little, and fun. Since many of the families I shoot are families from my kids’ school, and my own kids are teenagers, that means the families I’m typically shooting have older kids …. or even young adult children, home from college or whatever. No one is sitting in any laps, or hanging out on Dad’s shoulders …. unless Dad wants a hernia, ha!! Would love to see some fun, casual posing suggestions for groups with older and/or young adult children. Thanks!
Sent a request to join the Facebook group. I’m excited about this group!
My biggest pain point so to speak is natural expressions that don’t look forced or posed. I love non traditional pics but they seem to be the hardest to master… I did join the facebook group and pinned to pintrest….
http://pinterest.com/pin/148759593912942382/
Thanks…Tracy
Joined the Facebook group!
I would say I need help with making it the family pose more natural instead staged. Also like things to say to get the expressions on there face. I Have been working more on making it more fun.
Just pinned one of the awesome images! Thanks for this great contest, Jodi!
pinned it
I need help with ideas for large families. I live in an area where 4+ kids is normal and it gets hard fitting them all in sometimes. Worst when they are insistent on traditional poses and their kids are all older.
Pining and Joining also!
Thank you for giveaway!
The most thing I need during family session – posing and how interact Dad when he is not very willing to make photos
FB message – http://www.facebook.com/natalia.maygirl
I need to win this posing guide! I have trouble thinking outside the box with families, and I need some fresh inspiration!
I am a very green photographer who, like a starving wolf with fresh kill, is devouring every tidbit of information I can get my hands on. What do I need help with the most in relation to family photography? Posing would be awesome!
I sent inquiry for NEW FB group, thank you!
I need help getting more natural smiles out of my clients.
I pinned this article. Thanks for the helpful tips!
I joined the new facebook group (how exciting!).
I pinned it!
I pinned the amazing family picture. Could that mama twirling her kids get any cuter??? http://pinterest.com/pin/190699365442570746/
I just joined your new Facebook group. Looking forward to interacting and learning even more.
I joined the new FB group!! So excited!
I requested an invite to the fb group! Can’t wait to learn more from other photographers!
The thing I need most for my family photography is new ideas! A better way to plan out poses would be fantastic. I think I have gotten in the rut of staying with a few safe poses and forget to go outside that comfort zone.
I pinned the 2nd photo to Pinterest, and I also joined the new Facebook group! I’m loving all the information available there! Great page!
I love the “natural unposed” types of family poses, but I struggle–especially with dads to get the family to act as if I’m not there. I love the idea mentioned above of giving them a game to play or something to do specifically–I’d like more ideas in this area!
I joined the Facebook Group!
I’m just starting out and any advice is helpful — also joined the FB group! Thanks!!
I have such difficulty knowing how to direct families. I know what I’m hoping to achieve in my head, and I know where I want people to sit, but I never know how to get them to be truly themself. Thanks to your tips, I now realize I need to get them to INTERACT. Get them to play together and tell eachother jokes perhaps? Thank-you so much for that insight with just these three tips! I can’t wait to see what the rest of the guide is like!
I’ve requested to join the facebook group!
I need most help with posing families in an interactive fun way (along the lines of what Angie does) – love her work and very happy to have found this blog!
Just joined your FB group as well. Looking forward to meeting other photographers
I need help with posing! Anything beyond a basic triangle, and I’m lost!
The things I need help with most is posing groups, like families. Especially large multi-generation groups. But help with getting the kids to cooperate and the mom’s to relax into less traditional and stiff poses would also help!
The thing I most need help with is how to plan out & structure the session for the best results.
wow – so, totally aside from having discovered your blog from Angie’s FB post, I have to say that i am SO excited to have discovered your blog and company! I love your PS Actions!!
I could definitely use help for creative poses. I’m more comfortable with the candid shots than with setting up poses.
I would love new posing ideas for family photo sessions!
also pinned to Pinterest.
I’m just starting out and need ideas on how to get the family to relax so I can capture natural family interaction.
I would love help with family groupings when there are teenagers and little kids in the family. I think little kids are easy to group with parents, it’s those older kids!
The hardest part I am having with families is posing, and what to say to them to get them to “act” natural.
Pinned the guide on Pinterest
Pinned!
Joined the group!
I really need help with posing! Every session I always seem to get stuck as to what to do next.
Joined the facebook group.
I just pinned the last picture of my friends family to my “family posing” pinterest board
and joined the fb group! Hope I win!
I also joined the facebook group:) I am just learning that presets are so much easier than photoshop, thanks you guys!
favorite tip for keeping families relaxed is to keep a constant conversation going related to something else other than what you’re doing at all times:). Going to pin and join the group now.
Family photo tip: be funny. they’ll laugh. you’ll get great shots!
joined the group!
pinned a pic!
I would love posing tips for larger families. I seem to do well with small family groups but when larger than 5 seems more difficult.
I think my biggest problem when photographing families is posing. I like the more candid shots, but my clients usually want both. I have a hard time coming up with unique poses for families with different ages. What works for a family of little ones doesn’t work for a family with teens.
I pinned one of the photos on Pinterest on my “Photo Inspiration” board.
I’m already a member of the new Facebook group.
I need help with making my posed family photographs more natural, less forced.
I pinned the photograph from the first tip!
I requested to join the Facebook group.
i always bring an assistant when smaller kids are involved. If someone can be helping me with smiles and attention while I focus on everything else it works wonders. My husband is the best at this! Also, have each family bring a prop that symbolizes something about their family. People get really creative and it’s amazing how a prop can help break the ice.
I have the most difficulty keeping everyone in a flattering pose when shooting families. It seems like by the time I get kids looking in the right direction, mom or dad has moved or some body part is sticking out in a weird way.
Already joined the facebook group!
My tip would be to get the hard stuff over with first (larger posed group, or photo involving young bored children).
I need help with natural posing. Thanks for the chance to win!