How to pose family formals without steps...

jrmyrnsm

Well I'm doing a wedding tomorrow and today at the rehearsal I realized that the venue where their wedding is has no steps to pose people one for the family formals. All the weddings I've done to this point have at least had one step up to allow for me to have two rows in my groups pictures. I wanted to see if anyone had any advice for one level formals or even better some example photos where the group is all on one level. Thanks!

Toshido

Just a though, no experience here. How about you getting elevated. Stand on a chair or maybe get a little stool. Still get two rows in , maybe.

dank-photo

jrmyrnsm wrote:

Well I'm doing a wedding tomorrow and today at the rehearsal I realized that the venue where their wedding is has no steps to pose people one for the family formals. All the weddings I've done to this point have at least had one step up to allow for me to have two rows in my groups pictures. I wanted to see if anyone had any advice for one level formals or even better some example photos where the group is all on one level. Thanks!

Take my advice with a grain of salt, because posing is still something I've been working more on as well, but I would suggest trying to get above them if you can...I've seen huge group shots...of 50-100ppl even shot from above that have turned out great. Otherwise, stagger them somehow...just make sure everyone's face is seen clearly. You could also find something decent-looking for a front row to sit on, and have the back row stand...It's hard to give you more advice without knowing what kind of venue you have to work with. Good luck to you. Cheers.

Art Scott

Sunday wedding.......Adventist?? just curious......they have really simple churches in this area......lecturn for preacher is on same level as congregation......been there done lots of them...........


take a 4' step ladder....or stand in a wooden pew......do not use a stool...they are dangerious.....on to the posing.......

We come in tall and short....back row tallest amd front row short....make sure the back row heads are lined up between the front row heads.....use a "V" formation and then shoot off the step ladder....don't go to the top you really may not want them looking up.....or maybe that could work also for something different...shoot 3 or 4 shots....just to make sure.........

GOOD LUCK

Scott_Quier

Art Scott wrote:

We come in tall and short....back row tallest amd front row short....make sure the back row heads are lined up between the front row heads.....

This is a good idea to get some vertical seperation. A couple of other ideas:

• You can also get kids, especially boys, to kneel in front of the group.
• How about using a couple or three chairs. Place the B&G in the chairs and have others group around them; kids on the floor and adults standing behind. You can also place grandparents in the chairs as the anchor(s) of the family and have others grouped around them.

If that's not enough, you may want to look to some horizontal seperation as well. You do this by putting space between individuals or groups of individuals - spread them out either across the frame or by putting some closer to the camera than others. This opportunity to move away from the "line 'em up and shoot 'em" mind-set. If you have the room and the light you can get some quite interesting shots.

You might also get some mileage from reviewing this thread.

Art Scott

Scott_Quier wrote:

This is a good idea to get some vertical seperation. A couple of other ideas:

• You can also get kids, especially boys, to kneel in front of the group.
• How about using a couple or three chairs. Place the B&G in the chairs and have others group around them; kids on the floor and adults standing behind. You can also place grandparents in the chairs as the anchor(s) of the family and have others grouped around them.
  
  If that's not enough, you may want to look to some horizontal seperation as well. You do this by putting space between individuals or groups of individuals - spread them out either across the frame or by putting some closer to the camera than others. This opportunity to move away from the "line 'em up and shoot 'em" mind-set. If you have the room and the light you can get some quite interesting shots.
  
  You might also get some mileage from reviewing this thread.

Scott pretty much nailed it......one more suggestion is using the pews to pose in and doing as Scott said...spread people out in family "plots" so to speak....B/G front and center with others spread about in the pews...........