Lifestyle shoots of the family

Tips and images from Chris Hanely.

Say goodbye to forced grins and say hello to the fun and laughter found on an outdoor shoot.


Gear
For environmental portraits pick up a 14-24mm but a 70-200mm is the lens I use most of the time as I like the look and feel of the perspective when used at f/4, around the 135mm mark. Natural light works well for families but do pack lighting essentials like a reflector.


Technique
Families love the great outdoors and having a good time and as a result, you'll get unique, fun pictures.

Before the shoot, have a telephone conversation then have a pre shoot coffee on the day to put the family at ease. Then once the shoot is under way make sure you constantly chat to them, pointing out colours and textures, suggesting how and why shots work plus giving them a little background knowledge of the location you are shooting. Another good point to remember is always get your safety shots in the bag as soon as possible. What I mean by this is get a good, happy group shot and a few nice, tight individual shots then once these are on the cards, you can get more creative. Jut watch the light and if you have to shoot around midday look for shade and partial cover.


If they ask, encourage your clients to wear what they want as this means colours will be rich and varied. I also encourage the girls to wear layers so they can create different looks quickly without having to completely change, but quite often if there is a bar or café on route, we'll incorporate a change stop. Keep an eye out for backgrounds which compliment what my subjects are wearing, but for punchy fashion images a good contrast will make for vibrant images.

Don't forget that small children have a short attention span and can he a handful so the best way to capture them is to occupy them. Kicking a football into the right patch of light, getting them to jump up at a branch of a tree or spell out their name with sticks or stones is a good way to concentrate them to one spot. For teens, you need to make sure the shoot is cool. There's little point in doing light and fluffy if they want urban or grungy. Encourage them to wear what they want and to wear their hair and make up as they want to be seen. Actually, probably the most difficult is the dad whose come along for the shoot because his wife booked it!


You've read the article, now go take some fantastic images. You can then upload the pictures, plus any advice and suggestions you have into the dedicated Photo Month forum for everyone at ePHOTOzine to enjoy.