You can make family portraits look more joyful by choosing a location that holds special memories for you. Portraits have a unique vibe when the background is blurred, and the models are sharp. The trick to capturing this feeling is to use a low aperture value such as f/2.8. A low aperture value creates a beautiful blur. A tripod helps keep the camera steady while taking the photo. In addition, avoid using high ISO or aperture settings.
Table of Contents
Avoiding bright colours
Avoid clothing with abstract or large logos as they may distract from the photograph. Avoid thin stripes or clashing patterns. Dresses with big floral patterns look good. Make sure that all of the colours in your wardrobe are within your colour palette. White shirts, for example, will look fresh under a dark jacket. If you’re unsure what colours to wear, take inspiration from one person’s print.
Try to avoid bright colours altogether. These will look unnatural in photos and may even wash out your skin. Bright colours also reflect the light, making them unsuitable for family photos. Dark reds are beautiful and work well in this scenario. You’ll be happy you didn’t use neon green! The brighter the colour, the more vibrant the photo will look. Avoid bright colours and choose clothes with textured patterns instead.
While bright colours are very flattering when used in the right combinations, they are often too distracting in the final image. Instead, stick to muted colours like blue or green.
Using a tripod
A tripod can make a massive difference in the overall look of your family portraits. It helps prevent blurring caused by camera shake, especially in low-light situations. Tripods can also help keep the camera steady while you pose the subjects. Tripods can also be used with the remote shutter release. These features will make your family portraits look even more natural and professional. Try incorporating them into your next session if you want to get more creative with your family portraits.
Avoiding high ISO
Using high ISO in your family portrait photography can ruin the natural look of your pictures. This setting will not change the lighting situation, but it can cause a lot of ugly shadows. The key is to make sure your subjects look as natural as possible. Try to choose locations with natural light. For example, don’t use the same lighting in the same place for several different photos. If you can’t control the shutter speed, you’re better off shooting more than one person at a time. Another way to get better results with this method is to change the white balance setting on your camera’s screen.
Avoiding high aperture settings
Another essential tip when shooting family portraits is to avoid high-aperture settings. You can still get great shots if you take photos in locations with special meaning. However, it is best to avoid shooting with a high-aperture setting as it creates an unnatural vibe and makes it difficult to get the correct exposure in post-processing. When you use a low aperture setting, you will get an image that looks natural and beautiful instead of a photo where the background is overexposed.
Avoiding high shutter speed settings
Aside from the lighting conditions, the composition, background elements, and shutter speed are essential when taking a family portrait. Outdoor locations are especially trendy, and the reason for this is that natural light is much easier to work with than additional lighting. Being outdoors can also change the mood of younger members of the group. If you plan to take family portraits outdoors, learn some locations to shoot from Faithful Photography specialises in family photography to capture the family’s best moments.
When taking a family portrait, avoid placing your subject in direct sunlight. The sun may be shining behind you, but that would create ugly shadows. Additionally, direct sunlight is hard on the skin, making it look older and less smooth. It can also highlight any small flaws in the subject’s appearance. Instead, use a softer light source when taking family portraits, and you will have a more pleasing result.
When shooting a family portrait, be on the lookout for things that make you slap your forehead during editing. Fences, parked cars, and even items in the background may affect the picture’s composition. Make sure that your subjects are in good health before shooting. Otherwise, your portraits could end up with ugly shadows. A tripod is essential for capturing natural looking family portraits.
