www.photographymonthly.com52 PHOTOGRAPHY MONTHLY
ABOVE If your kids are
uncomfortable stuck indoors in
front of the camera, take them
somewhere they can play and relax.
This leads to more natural smiles
and can lend an environmental slant
to the picture.
RIGHT Avoid the formal linear line-
up of faces � instead, exploit their
different heights and make a visual
connection between them. Use
similar-coloured clothes or get them
to link arms in a protective group
hug. Canon EOS 20D and 28-70mm
lens, f/5 at 1/250sec, ISO 100.
[Technique]
As for posing,the main thing is to avoid the
everyone-in-a-lineshot.It looks like they'rea rag-
tag local footballteam.Instead,considerthe
heightsand ages of your subjects,and try to
arrangethem so they look natural.If you can find
some steps or a park bench,even better.Some
can be seated,some standing,some perchedon
the edge of the seat,others on the ground maybe.
Everyone'sheads at differentheightsmakes the
picturemore angularand dynamic.
Try to get your family to turn their bodies three-
quarterson to the camera,then turn their faces
back towardsyou and the camera.It'll make them
appear slimmer,and helps you get more people
closer together.
Once you've coaxed the obligatorysmile-at-the-
camerapic,why not try to get a more fun reaction
from everyone?Perhapsget them to give a big
cheer together,pull faces or try a few jokes for a
happy reaction?
Now it's time to really have some fun and get a
bit more dynamic.Be ready to catch the candid
and funny moments.Get them all to jump up in
the air,or lie on the floor and get the smallestkids
to pile on top.Alternatively,select continuous
autofocuson your cameraand track them as they
run towardsyou.They'llenjoy it and you should
get some fun, candid and memorableimages.
What can make a real differenceto a family
album is includingshots of individuals,or smaller
family groups,too.Try brotherand sister together,
or mum and gran,maybe father and son.
Individualshots like this give you the chance to
experimentwith an environmentalapproach.You
can use all sorts of differenttechniquesto give a
clue to each family member'scharacter.
For instance,a BMX- or skateboard-mad
teenagermakes for some gritty urban shots.Use
a wide-anglelens and look for dramaticlines.
"Now it'stime to have some
fun � get them to pile on top of
each other, smallest on top
"
CELIAMANNINGSPETERWARE

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