So you are all out for the day, adventuring around. All you want to do is perfectly capture some cool images of you and your family. As a Las Vegas family photographer I’ve come up with some great tips for when you’re out with your family and want to snap a shot or two. But how can you do that with five or six people? You want the shot to be perfect, fit everyone in it, and get as many likes as you can on social media! Making your group photo not only come out well, but be unique and show off the personality of your group of friends can be a challenge. Here are a few tips on taking great group photos!

6 Tips for Beautiful Family Photos:

1. First, you do not want the photo to be fake or “staged”. Set up the camera to take several shots at once. Candid shots are always preferred. Everyone posing never looks natural, and certainly does not show off the personality of everyone involved. You want to capture life’s moments as they happen, and posing is not a life moment. You are not taking the picture to capture a group of people, but to capture their emotions and personalities. Zoom out to capture interaction between people. Staged photos can be taken at a different point, but to capture the moment is priceless. You can also zoom in to capture the closeness of those in the room, showing the intimate relationships between family and friends.
2. Location matters – If you are planning on taking a group shot, you want to find a good location. One that does not necessarily have many distractions to take the focus away from those who will be in the photo. If you are taking family photos in Las Vegas, this is especially important. The background matters. You want something interesting there, not just a plain wall. Yet at the same time, you do not want it to be the focal point. Also be careful about shooting under trees or large buildings, as these will cause dark shadows. If you are out with friends, choose a background that shows where you are, but focus on the people. If it is a family photo, outdoor parks or fields with nearby trees may be a great location.
3. Along with location, you want to consider lighting and time of day. You want to make sure everything is brightly lit and no shadows over faces. Make sure all of your focus subjects are lit and in contrast to the background. Shooting in the evening or in the shade will also prevent people in your group photo from squinting, and will prevent shadows. The soft evening sun is also more flattering, giving everyone a warm glow.
4. Think outside the box – You do not have to take simple straight on photos. Consider placing the camera at a different angle. Maybe have the people in the photo jump or do something different or unusual. A truly excellent photo gives a different perspective. Take a photo from the second floor of a building, looking down, or lie on the ground and take a shot up. There are many different angles you can play with. It is a group photo, have fun with it!
5. Make sure you can see everyone! What is the point of a group photo if you cannot see everyone in the group! If you are not doing a candid shot, this is especially important. If you are taking family photos, do not let anyone hide, and check the viewfinder of the camera to ensure everyone is in frame.
6. Take multiple shots – Do not just take one or two. Set you camera to take several shots at once, that way you can choose the best, or later use Photoshop to ensure you get the best group photo you can.

Taking group photos is fun, whether out with friends goofing off, or setting up for full family photos. Many of these tips can help you create that everlasting memory. Some additional tips include: use a high quality camera to ensure a crisp, clear photo; make sure everyone has their chin up, as no one wants to see a double chin and will make you take the photo again; and make sure your camera is on the right setting for a group shot and for the location you choose. Understand how your camera works, and know all of the settings, including aperture and shutter speed. These tips just break the surface on what makes a great family photo. The best thing to do to become better at family photography is to practice, practice, and practice!

Marie Grantham: Las Vegas Family Photographer

As an entrepreneur and business owner at Marie Grantham Photography, I’ve always believed that going above and beyond is paramount to creating better family photos. I love my career as a local Las Vegas family photographer. Book your family photo session today by calling 702-336-1609. I look forward to working with you and your family and creating beautiful family portraits for you to look back on as the years go by.