Family portraits 

Family portraits can be time-consuming if they are not planned well. With all the excitement of the wedding, family and friends you haven’t seen in years and often little children running around it can be stressful. I have devised a routine for family portraits the keeps it quick, easy and stress-free.

Some of the common hurdles you can face with family portraits are missing family members, your guests being caught up in the festivities and heading off to the bar, the time that it takes to gather guests for each image can be extensive if they are not all nearby.

I have a few key tips to help this all run smoothly, these methods have proved time and time again that you can have beautiful family portraits in a timely manner and still feel comfortable and relaxed.

TIPS –

1. It is a good idea to let your guests know prior to the wedding if they will be a part of the family portraits.
2. Write a detailed list with the guest’s names, so that I can ensure we do not miss anyone also having the names, rather than mum or dad, helps to get their attention in a large group and I know who I need in each image.
3. Using the add/remove method saves time and keeps things running smoothly. How it works is you start with a large group photo and then add or remove some of the guests to achieve the next image, this saves sending everyone out of the shot and then calling individual people back again. Below is an example of how this works.
4. Let your celebrant know where you intend on going to photograph the family portraits and have him/her announce this at the end of the ceremony.
5. Allow enough time for the number of images you wish to capture. Typically it takes between 3-5 minutes for each shot. Once you have your list you can work out how long you will need and your coordinator or I can keep things moving along.
6. Have a helper. I don’t know all of your guests or their names if you have a family member who can assist in pointing out and rounding up guests for the photos it helps tremendously.
7. Consider having elderly guests and children in the first few images we take so they can head off to cocktail hour and relax. Also if anyone needs a seat for the images let your venue know to have one ready.
8. Compare your guest list to your family portrait list to make sure you do not miss anyone out.

 

SAMPLE FAMILY PORTRAIT LIST

1. Group Photo – All guest

                  – Remove all but brides family

                 (Bride & Groom, Lauren, Gary, Joe, Frank, Doris, Albert, Susan)

                 – Remove all but brides parents & grandparents

                 (Bride & Groom, Lauren, Gary,  Frank, Doris, Albert, Susan)

                 – Remove brides parents

                (Bride & Groom, Frank, Doris, Albert, Susan)

                 + Add grooms parents & brides parents

               (Bride & Groom, Lauren, Gary, Michale, Julie)

                 – Remove brides parents

              ETC…

 

Family portraits are something that you will treasure forever, everyone is dressed nicely and all your family are in the one place at the same time. In some cases, weddings are almost family reunions with so many of us living abroad or interstate. We can all get a little camera shy, by following the tips above you will have the best opportunity to get your family portraits done and dusted quickly and stress-free, all those camera-shy guests can go and enjoy themselves and not be stuck in front of the camera for any longer than they need to be.

Have a list, make it quick and easy and we won’t miss a thing.