How to Take Great Family Photos

With summer soon upon us there will be more family gatherings happening. With the popularity of Summer Weddings and Summertime Family Reunions (not to mention the summer holidays such as the 4^th of July) there will be plenty of family picture taking possibilities. Use these handy hints and tips to take the best photos ever.

1. Shoot First, Ask Questions Later.

If the young ones, or adults for that matter, are getting into mischief grab the camera and shoot away. As long as no one is getting hurt these candid shots can and will be considered priceless to the family. My motto, Take 2, just in case the first shot doesn't turn out.

2. While the Entire Family is Together Take a Family Portrait.

Family portraits don't have to be dress-up occasions. A family reunion at the nearest park doesn't call for dressy attire, but don't let that stop you from getting as many together as possible in one shot. Try for theme photos as well; such as all grandchildren of great-grandma Chloe, or all children of Zackie, or multiple generation photos of all females or all males. If the gathering is a dress-up occasion such as attending a wedding take advantage of how nice everyone looks after with a big group picture. Don't take away from the bride and grooms day though and stay out of the paid photographer's way.

3. Don't Use Flash Indoors.

Many potentially good shots are ruined because of glare from the flash, not to mention redeye. While redeye can be easy to fix a large bright light in the middle of a photo rarely is. Turn your flash off indoors and rely on the rooms lighting or natural light streaming in from a window. The shadows will appear more natural and if you are using a digital camera you can always brighten a too dark photo with your computer software. Soft shadows can make for a great photograph.

4. Use the Right Camera for the Job.

If your family is into baseball games with all of the fast action a simple camera may not be the best choice. For good action shots with very little or no blur you will need to use a camera with a high shutter speed capability. If you are using 35mm film try the 400 speed or even the 800 speed for some really great shots. When the action is fast there is no time to stop, look and wait. Catch the action with the right camera and surprise the family with some really great action photography.

If the kids are all huddled together staring at something on the ground and you are using a digital camera with a close-up feature prepare the camera before going to investigate. Get a great close-up shot of the creepy crawly bug that had all of the cousins transfixed. Don't forget to take a shot of the cousins all huddled together unbeknownst to them before changing your camera setting and approaching the group.

5. Stop Taking the Same Old Boring Photos

In scrapbook after scrapbook I've seen the same old family photos. Everyone is sitting together, backs straight, smiles on their faces. This is fine but does this really capture their personalities? My favorite photo of my grandfather is him at a family gathering at my house sitting in a chair with his legs stretched out and his arms behind his head. He's sleeping, of course! But that was my grandpa. He could sleep even with the little ones climbing all over his legs. That photo means more to me than the perfect one of him posing for the camera.

When photographing children get down to your little ones level, kneel, sit or lie down if you have to. The smiles or cries, yes cries, you capture from that position will be much better than the ones taken with you looming over them.

Another suggestion, don't worry about getting faces in every shot. Sometimes photographing individuals walking away from you can create a wonderful portrait, especially if its siblings, cousins or a grandparent and grandchild holding hands. Be creative, really see what is going on around you and look for the unusual and unlikely photo ops, you may find later these are the best ones of the day.

And a word to the "family photographer". You know the person, the one that always takes the photos and is never in any of the pictures. Put the camera down! Teach an older child to use it, or a spouse or sibling. Hand it over for awhile so that YOU can be in some of the photos. Otherwise, your family will wonder if you where there that year or not!!