Family photoshoot

adpace · July 10, 2007

Family photoshoot I did on Sunday. It was overcast and sticky hot; but the family was SO much fun to shoot!! I could use any and all c.c on these, b/c I'm very nervous about showing them!!

1) I had a hard time getting the dog on the ground and the tall guy all in the picture... how would you have done it?

2) This one by far is my favorite... such beautiful women. Anything you would change or do??

3) The inside ones are iffy. I like this treatment, but the girl in the back is darker, b/c the window was on the left and this was done with just natural light coming in.... so the setting was ISO 800 and there is a lot of noise, what do you all think? Is it even worth showing them this one???

THANK YOU in advance!!!!!!!

~Jan~ · July 10, 2007

Wow you had a lot of battles...white clothes (why do they ALWAYS wear white? UGH!), dark dog, TAAAAAALLLLLL guy.... and I think you did pretty well considering! The first one, like you said, is awkward because of the super tall guy& the dog. Maybe you could've had the dog sit or stand and the tall guy kneel?

I like the last 2, though. The noise doesn't bother me on the last because of the sepia ton. B/W-ish PP is so forgiving.

Nice work. Family shots are something I dread. Heck, I dread TWO subjects at once.

urbanaries · July 10, 2007

I actually really like #3. It is noisy but I think the treatment really works to minimize the distracting shirts that the husbands were wearing (did they not get the White Shirt memo?

)

I also think the lighting was very nice. Did you use a tripod? What were your settings for that one?

#2 is very nice! The girls are gorgeous, and the exposure and lighting looks balanced and even. You might want to have the women tilt their heads toward one another, and turn one shoulder slightly away from the camera for even more flattering angles.

as far as #1 (guess i'm moving backwards here), a small ladder is definitely helpful in this situation. You look like you were shooting under their chins, which isn't always flattering. For this mixed situation, I would have had a couple sitting in the chair with the infant like you did, but the other couples on the ground, to bring everyone's heads and heights together.

Overall I think these look great and I hope these minor suggestions help you in the future!

lynne

urbanaries · July 10, 2007

~Jan~ wrote:

Heck, I dread TWO subjects at once.

OMG you are not the only one!!!

adpace · July 10, 2007

Wonderful wonderful comments Jan and Lynne! I appreciate it SO very much! I will definitely remember this in the future! I did do a couple of the family that was cropped tighter (removing the dog). The taller guy slouched though... for me... good... for him... not so good (flattering). I TOTALLY see now that I was a little too low.. THANK YOU!! And yes... the guys were quite resistant to this whole photoshoot deal,

! Aren't they always?!?!

I treated this one a little in lightroom and now with my work monitor think the coloring might be off (a little too red??)... I'll fix that.

Thanks again!!!!!

ETA... sorry... I forgot to mention the inside picture (#3) was handheld and the settings where
Exposure Time 0.0125s (1/80)
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 800
Focal Length 24mm (36mm 35mm)

urbanaries · July 10, 2007

Angela-

this latest shot looks underexposed, and their eyes look a bit dark. What was your lighting approach for the portrait of the three women? That was a great result...their eyes are bright and have catchlights, and the lightfall on the skin is more even than the group shots, IMO. I'm not on a calibrated monitor now so i'll let others comment on the color. I have found the smugmug Skin Tute to be a big help, I am still on the skin tone color learning curve myself! I don't think the pose is all that unflattering for the tall gentleman, he looks casual with his arm around his pretty lady.

Have you considered the BW/sepia treatment for this outdoor shot? I'd be curious which one they like better. The yellow shirt is just bringing all that more attention to the tall guy. Like a sore thumb!

RE: the inside shot, you will get MUCH better results using a tripod. If the subjects are fairly still, you can get away with much slower speeds than 1/80, and less noisy ISOs. The noise level is acceptable at this size, but not sure about a wall size print (which for family shots with several members, they typically want). You also might have gotten away with (even handheld) going ISO 400, but if you're on a crop camera that might be pushing it.

anwmn1 · July 10, 2007

Angela-

Besides using a ladder you could have also shot a vertical shot rather than horizontal therebye giving you room for the dog and the taller gentleman. It seems as though you had fun with this family so why not try some fun unconventional poses?

Have the big guy lay on the ground or sitting but leaning to a side. Don't be afraid to move people around and try different things.

I really like the 2nd and 3rd shots you originally posted. Well done.

adpace · July 10, 2007

urbanaries wrote:

Angela-

this latest shot looks underexposed, and their eyes look a bit dark. What was your lighting approach for the portrait of the three women? That was a great result...their eyes are bright and have catchlights, and the lightfall on the skin is more even than the group shots, IMO. I'm not on a calibrated monitor now so i'll let others comment on the color. I have found the smugmug Skin Tute to be a big help, I am still on the skin tone color learning curve myself! I don't think the pose is all that unflattering for the tall gentleman, he looks casual with his arm around his pretty lady.

Have you considered the BW/sepia treatment for this outdoor shot? I'd be curious which one they like better. The yellow shirt is just bringing all that more attention to the tall guy. Like a sore thumb!

RE: the inside shot, you will get MUCH better results using a tripod. If the subjects are fairly still, you can get away with much slower speeds than 1/80, and less noisy ISOs. The noise level is acceptable at this size, but not sure about a wall size print (which for family shots with several members, they typically want). You also might have gotten away with (even handheld) going ISO 400, but if you're on a crop camera that might be pushing it.

Again, Lynne, thank you for taking the time to comment and with such helpful advice! I am just starting out, so your advice and comments are very much appreciated. I think I played with that last one in lightroom and probably upped the contrast way too much (with too little light). I wish I had the original to show you.
Here is the last one in B&W:

THANK YOU!!!!

adpace · July 10, 2007

anwmn1 wrote:

Angela-

Besides using a ladder you could have also shot a vertical shot rather than horizontal therebye giving you room for the dog and the taller gentleman. It seems as though you had fun with this family so why not try some fun unconventional poses?

Have the big guy lay on the ground or sitting but leaning to a side. Don't be afraid to move people around and try different things.

I really like the 2nd and 3rd shots you originally posted. Well done.

Ahh!! Good advice on changing poses, etc!! I think that will be the biggest hurdle for me. Yes, a fun group and should have gotten some fun poses!! Thank you!!

k2butter · July 10, 2007

I don't think you have anything to worry about Angela... I think you did a great job!!! I am sure the family will love it... I think a ladder is a great idea for you... I know you are sort of vertically challenged!!!!..

adpace · July 10, 2007

k2butter wrote:

I don't think you have anything to worry about Angela... I think you did a great job!!! I am sure the family will love it... I think a ladder is a great idea for you... I know you are sort of vertically challenged!!!!..

HA HA!! Perhaps I should just stick the little step stool I use in my kitchen into the trunk of my car!

Thanks for the feedback!!!!

k2butter · July 10, 2007

adpace wrote:

HA HA!! Perhaps I should just stick the little step stool I use in my kitchen into the trunk of my car!

Thanks for the feedback!!!!

... good idea!!!!

urbanaries · July 10, 2007

adpace wrote:

HA HA!! Perhaps I should just stick the little step stool I use in my kitchen into the trunk of my car!

Thanks for the feedback!!!!

I do this, and I'm 5-11! Well, 5-10.5 if andi's looking. and 5-12 with shoes on.

shooting adults from slightly above is always more flattering

photogmomma · July 10, 2007

urbanaries wrote:

I do this, and I'm 5-11! Well, 5-10.5 if andi's looking. and 5-12 with shoes on.

shooting adults from slightly above is always more flattering

Shorty, Lynne!!!

Seriously, Angela, these are awesome!! Your skills have improved SO much! I just LOVE the last family shot in the original post and don't have aproblem with theone woman being slightly darker. Next time you could try to turn them slightly toward the window a little more to see if that helps....

I'm also thrilled to hear that you're using lightroom, how do you like it? Let me know if you need some new presets! I have a ton!

I'll have to come back and give you more CC later, but saw these and was so impressed! Very nice job!!!

photogmomma · July 10, 2007

Oh, and in the first photo, back up a tiny bit and then turn the camera vertically - that might have worked better. (And being taller, too. LMAO!)

adpace · July 10, 2007

photogmomma wrote:

Shorty, Lynne!!!

Seriously, Angela, these are awesome!! Your skills have improved SO much! I just LOVE the last family shot in the original post and don't have aproblem with theone woman being slightly darker. Next time you could try to turn them slightly toward the window a little more to see if that helps....

I'm also thrilled to hear that you're using lightroom, how do you like it? Let me know if you need some new presets! I have a ton!

I'll have to come back and give you more CC later, but saw these and was so impressed! Very nice job!!!

Thank you Andi! It means SO much to have you say that!

Loving lightroom, but I some times get carried away with all of the tabs to turn up and down. *blush* I'm really not that good with post processing. If you have presets, YES, by all means... I could use them. If you're interested in seeing the whole gallery email me at: angela_pace@muzak.com and I'll send you the password. I have yet to send it to the family, b/c I'm nervous as hell! I'm trying to decide if I should remove some of them (b/c they're not that great) or do I leave them and have them choose and then work with them more after they choose? I don't know.

Any and all CC is of course welcomed from you!! THANK YOU for taking the time, I know you don't have much of that right now!

photogmomma · July 10, 2007

adpace wrote:

Thank you Andi! It means SO much to have you say that!

Loving lightroom, but I some times get carried away with all of the tabs to turn up and down. *blush* I'm really not that good with post processing. If you have presets, YES, by all means... I could use them. If you're interested in seeing the whole gallery email me at: angela_pace@muzak.com and I'll send you the password. I have yet to send it to the family, b/c I'm nervous as hell! I'm trying to decide if I should remove some of them (b/c they're not that great) or do I leave them and have them choose and then work with them more after they choose? I don't know.

Any and all CC is of course welcomed from you!! THANK YOU for taking the time, I know you don't have much of that right now!

I hate reading posts that I *need* to post to and dont' have time!

!

I'll bundle up my presets and send 'em off in a day or two... i promise!!!

As for what to show them, the rule of thumb is that YOU'RE the professional! Make the decisions for them - show ONLY your best work. And if you're thinking of doing this seriously, that's even more true. Don't show them photos that are unflattering, way out of focus, dumb expressions - most likely if you dont' like them, they won't....

I made the mistake of giving a family well over 100 photos and they only liked about 15 or so one of the first times. Point taken. I generally take about 100-200 photos at a portrait shoot and end up with anywhere from 25-50. I try to keep it less than 50, but once or twice it was more - and it was harder on the clients. Even if they aren't paying you, it's still nice to weed things out!

Sorry I can't comment on the gallery right now. But after you whittle it down and feel good about what you're showing them, send them the link! Definitely! You'll see - they'll be really happy! I promise...

adpace · July 10, 2007

photogmomma wrote:

I hate reading posts that I *need* to post to and dont' have time! !

I'll bundle up my presets and send 'em off in a day or two... i promise!!!

As for what to show them, the rule of thumb is that YOU'RE the professional! Make the decisions for them - show ONLY your best work. And if you're thinking of doing this seriously, that's even more true. Don't show them photos that are unflattering, way out of focus, dumb expressions - most likely if you dont' like them, they won't....

I made the mistake of giving a family well over 100 photos and they only liked about 15 or so one of the first times. Point taken. I generally take about 100-200 photos at a portrait shoot and end up with anywhere from 25-50. I try to keep it less than 50, but once or twice it was more - and it was harder on the clients. Even if they aren't paying you, it's still nice to weed things out!

Sorry I can't comment on the gallery right now. But after you whittle it down and feel good about what you're showing them, send them the link! Definitely! You'll see - they'll be really happy! I promise...

You know I understand your time constraints. I think I took around 80 pictures and I put up about 60, but some of those were duplicates (color & b&W or sepia). That way they could see their choices. They are going to use smugmug to buy them, but I obviously didn't charge anything. Do you know, is there a way to see what they bought???
Thx!!!

saurora · July 10, 2007

Great job Angela! The sepia tone shot is my favorite. You have wonderful expressions on everyone's face. The darkness in the corner doesn't bother me and I think it will print super. The skin tones in the color shots look about right but you definitely need to set your black and white points. Notice how 'grey' their shirts look in the larger group shots. This will improve these shots 100 percent and you will be much happier. You could use a better way of converting your black and whites. I think your sepia is great. Pretty great advice from the others on your next shoot. I would agree w/Andi and weed out any shots you don't think are flattering. You want to put your best stuff out there. Congratulations!

photogmomma · July 11, 2007

adpace wrote:

You know I understand your time constraints. I think I took around 80 pictures and I put up about 60, but some of those were duplicates (color & b&W or sepia). That way they could see their choices. They are going to use smugmug to buy them, but I obviously didn't charge anything. Do you know, is there a way to see what they bought???
Thx!!!

Ahh, a little more time...

You can't see how much they order unless you upgrade your site. If you decide you want to do this for real, but aren't ready to charge, I got a NEW SM site (as you know) for my pro stuff. Then I marked everything up by 1¢ and let them know. I told them I had to do that, but it's a bit of a stretch. Then i could see what they ordered - and what they liked.

Also, I convert only the photos I think need to be B&W and leave the rest color. And then I upload what *I* like. Then I have them add comments to let me know if they want to see something in Color instead of B&W or vice versa. I would say they only request a change for a few photos each time. (I usually ask their preference. Some hate color, others B&W, others love both.)

But sicne you're doign it for free, do it the easiest way for you....

Keep up the GREAT work!

kombizz · July 11, 2007

very nice family portrait.
I guess I like number 3.

adpace · July 11, 2007

Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice and suggestions! It's greatly needed and appreciated! And it means so much for it to be coming from you all!

Thank you again!

evoryware · July 11, 2007

adpace wrote:

Family photoshoot I did on Sunday. It was overcast and sticky hot; but the family was SO much fun to shoot!! I could use any and all c.c on these, b/c I'm very nervous about showing them!!

This one there is a green thingy and a patch of dirt under it on the right side. Could you clone that out? The third shot leads me to think you should have had the tall guys sitting in this shot above. What I like about this shot is all eyes are open and even the dog is looking at the camera.

I really like #3.

Family photoshoot

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