Things You'll Need:
- Camera
- White sheet (optional)
- White foamcore board (optional)
- Lights and stands (optional)
- Reflector umbrellas (optional)
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Step 1
An informal family portraitDecide what your pose will be. Will you have a formal group, with parents standing behind children? Or will you have a less formal pose for your portrait, more of a candid shot? Will you include pets? Select a pose that you think will exemplify your family best. The pose will help determine the lighting used. Try to position people in one row if you have a large group; that way everyone is lit the same way, with no one in front throwing shadows on the people in back.
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Step 2
A family portrait including a petUse natural light. Before setting up any lights, pose in an area of natural light, either outdoors or near (but not directly in front of) a window, and take a few test shots. If you are shooting the portrait on a sunny day, you may not need any additional lights. Position the subjects of the photo so that the light falls on them without causing glare. The best position is so that the family is parallel to the sun, neither having it completely behind them or looking into it.
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Step 3
Place a white sheet on the ground or floor to reflect more light onto the subjects of your photo before placing additional lights. Take a few test shots and see if this reflection of light provides you with a well-lit shot. Try also using white foamcore board to reflect natural light. If neither of these techniques work, it's time to break out additional lights.
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Step 4
Position lights at 45-degree angles to the individuals at the far end of the photo. If the photo is only two or three people, you may need only one light, positioned on the right or left. For larger groups, position the lights so that they illuminate the people on the edges of the photo as well as those in the center by turning the lights inward, toward one another. If you are shooting with traditional film, use a high-speed film, ASA 800 or higher. The faster speed will capture the light's effects more clearly. If you are having trouble lighting a particularly large group, you may want to use reflector umbrellas.
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Step 5
A reflector umbrellaPosition reflector umbrellas above the lights and at least 3 feet higher than the tallest member of the group. Most light stands have places to attach umbrellas. Angle the umbrellas so that they are at 45 degrees to the lights and so that the outermost edge is parallel to the edge of the group. Take test shots and make adjustments as necessary to remove any shadows.
