Photographing Families Tips for Capturing Timeless Images

Create family portraits to cherish for a lifetime Family photographs are a staple of both amateur and professional photography. While always in demand, they also pose a unique set of challenges. In this book, Canon Explorer of Light Michele Celentano guides beginning– to intermediate–level photographers around the common pitfalls and helps them learn how to get top–quality shots every time. From getting families organized and directing the posing to managing large groups and impatient kids, this book reveals the secrets and helps you capture the shot without relying on post–production to achieve perfection. Whether you′re a professional seeking to advance your knowledge or the family′s designated picture–taker, you′ll benefit from these professional tips. You′ll learn camera techniques that can take pounds and years off your subjects and create images that stand the test of time. Family pictures are a photographic staple with their own set of challenges, this book offers tried–and–true advice for both hobbyists and professionals Veteran photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Michele Celentano guides you through getting families prepared for a photo session, directing the poses, handling challenging personalities, and creating memorable settings Helps you capture the perfect shot in the camera without relying on post–production to make it right Reveals secrets that can help your subjects shed pounds and years Packed with advice to help you keep your photos from showing up on awkwardfamilyphotos.com Photographing Families: Tips for Capturing Timeless Images is loaded with insider tips to help you make family portraits the treasure they should be.

About the Author 3 Acknowledgments 5 Dedication ,7 Foreword ,13 Introduction 15 Chapter 1: Getting Started with Family Portraits 1 Determine Your Portrait Style ,2 Lifestyle/Candid Portraits 2 Posed Portraits ,8 Choose the Right Equipment 12 Cameras ,12 Lenses 13 Tripods ,14 Posing Props 14 Camera Bags 14 Reflectors ,15 Summary 15 Chapter 2: The Elements of Photography ,17 The Rule of Thirds 18 Leading Lines ,20 Space 22 Shapes 22 Texture and Depth ,24 Color 27 Impact or Emotion ,28 Summary 29 Chapter 3: Getting It Right in the Camera 31 Understanding Camera Metering and Exposure ,32 &lsquo,P&rsquo, Mode is Not for Professional 32 Middle or 18% Gray 32 Exposure Compensation 34 Exposure Compensation in Practice 36 Understanding Program Modes ,39 Depth of Field 41 What Is ISO? 42 Setting White Balance 42 Custom White Balance ,44 Cropping in the Camera 45 Summary 46 Chapter 4: Finding the Best Locations 49 Finding the Perfect Light ,50 Sweet Light/Twilight ,50 Open Shade 51 Window Light 53 Window Light with Reflectors 55 Choosing Locations 56 Skating Rink 56 Rocks, Trees, and Fountain Grass 58 Crossing the Bridge 61 The Walkway 62 A Wide Walkway 64 The Wall 67 The Retaining Wall ,68 The Not–So–Perfect Park 69 The Church Archways 70 Fountain Grass 71 A Secret Sweet Spot 74 Doorways 77 Summary 77 Chapter 5: Understanding Your Client ,79 Working with Children 80 Children Ages 18 Months to 3 Years 84 Children Ages 5 to 10 Years 86 Children Ages 11 to 14 Years 86 Calming Nervous Moms 90 Warming Up Reluctant Dads 91 Working with Blended Families 92 Working with Large Family Groups 99 Adding the Family Dog 102 Working with Elderly Subjects 106 Summary 107 Chapter 6: The Art of Posing 109 Walk Like You Are Wearing Versace 110 The Three Languages of Posing 111 Body Language 111 Verbal Language 113 Sign Language 113 Are You Hiding Behind Your Camera? 117 Understanding Correct Camera Height 118 Looking at Facial Angles 121 Posing Groups 124 Focal Plane 125 Creating Triangles 125 Diagonal Lines ,131 Building Groups ,134 Common Mistakes 138 Summary 141 Chapter 7: Building a Profitable Family Portrait Business ,143 Creating a Business Plan 144 Image Branding 145 Marketing: Getting Your Name Out There 147 Websites, Blogs, and Social Media 148 Silent Auctions 149 Local Business Displays 149 Client Appreciation Parities ,150 Local Business Groups ,150 Infomercial Tactics 150 Figuring Out Your Cost of Goods 151 Pricing for Profit 153 Selling Packages or A la Carte 154 Using a Portrait Agreement 156 Studio Management Software 160 Summary 161 Chapter 8: Selling Your Portraits ,163 Conducting the Pre–Portrait Consultation 164 Know How to Handle Objections ,164 Show What You Want to Sell ,166 Create Effective Slide Shows 168 Ask the Right Questions ,168 Presenting the Images 169 Projection Slide Shows 169 Less Is More ,170 Presentation Software 170 Managing Indecisive Clients 174 In–Home Consultation 174 Using Social Media 176 Summary 177 Chapter 9: Postproduction ,179 Essential Postproduction Software 180 Postproduction Workflow 181 Organize Your Images 181 Select Your Favorite Images 183 Prep Your Images 184 Add Presets and Actions ,185 Export Your Images 188 Add Skin Softness 188 Retouching ,190 Designing Albums 197 Summary 198 Chapter 10: All Wrapped Up ,201 Packaging Considerations 202 In–Home Delivery 206 Framing 206 Customer Service ,206 Summary 207 Appendix A: Four Generations of a Family 209 Index 231