If you have ever wondered why all your family portraits look rather the same, it could be your angle. Having worked almost two decades across the Middleburg, VA area, clients often ask our advice on how they can take more interesting family pictures. Here are a few tips to consider.
If you’re lining up your family and shooting straight at them, that could be part of your problem. What’s interesting about a group of people lined up staring straight at the camera? Likely, not much. Try staggering them, so they’re not standing straight across the horizon. Then try shooting from unexpected angles as you move around.
With some portrait photography, your best angle is what is known as the portrait angle. It’s shot at the same level as the subject while changing the subject’s angle to you as the photographer. Turn the subject or subjects at an angle away from your camera. You can play around with angles especially when there is more than one person. Try having them look in opposite directions from each other or, when it’s more than two people, have them each look in different directions for an interesting result!
Looking down at your subjects from a bird’s eye view offers a unique perspective on what might otherwise be an ordinary shot. If you’ve ever seen a photo taken from a drone, you know how different the world looks from above. Note that we’re not saying you need to get up that high! Sometimes just holding your camera higher or standing on a chair will do the trick. Remember, safety first!
Rather than shooting from above, get everyone sitting or laying on the ground while you do the same. This angle makes for some fun shots especially if you’re at the beach or lying in a meadow of beautiful grass. This is a particularly nice angle when you’re working with children!
Another clever angle is for you as the photographer to get on the ground while you shoot up at your subjects. It works especially well when shooting a circle of people looking down at the camera. Keep in mind that while this is a fun and creative perspective, it can cause your subjects to look bigger. Not every person will want that!
How about looking for something shiny?! Use a body of water, including a simple puddle, and photograph the reflection for a new perspective for your pictures.
If you would like to do your family portraits in the Middleburg, VA area, contact our portrait photography studio. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment for your session with one of Northern Virginia’s most reputable and trusted photographers!
Other posts in this series:
Photography Tips & Tricks: Lighting tips for family snapshots
Photography Tips & Tricks: Get natural smiles from your kids!
Photography Tips & Tricks: Underwater Pictures
Photography Tips & Tricks: Pets
Photography Tips & Tricks: Confidence is key
Photography Tips & Tricks: 6 Tips for Taking Memorable Disney Park Photos
Photography Tips & Tricks: 5 Tips for Photographing Special Occasions
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Middleburg, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
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