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Archive 2013 · Do you like my family photo style?

Robin Usagani
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Do you like my family photo style?

I was just wondering. Do you think what I offer is high quality? Do you like it? Do you think people tend to like no strobe family photos better? What do I need to improve?

http://usagani.com/img/s10/v100/p787534498-4.jpg

http://usagani.com/img/s10/v108/p741037432-4.jpg

http://usagani.com/img/s10/v100/p804372423-4.jpg

http://usagani.com/img/s5/v128/p998446335-4.jpg

http://usagani.com/img/s9/v90/p1022591401-4.jpg

Dec 18, 2013 at 07:53 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Do you like my family photo style?

Robin, seriously, you've been here for three years and you're not numbering your pictures? 50 lashes!!!!

Your pictures are good, but I wouldn't call it high end family photography. Your best of the lot, IMO, is No. 3 (if there were numbers). Though I would clone that bright branch out to our left. But I love how you use the OOF background. The two pictures of the boy are really good.

The first two, I just don't know about the posing and the setting. In No. 1, they're so close to the trees and their sweaters kind of blend in with the trees. Since the trees and brush are relatively in focus, the scene looks really busy -- and their clothes don't help with that. Standing there holding hands doesn't really work for me, but a hundred others might love it.

The second shot's pose works better for me, and it's nice that the boy partially blocks the mother's strange multi-colored shirt. But the path they're in is just too tight, branches in focus right next to them. At the least, I would take a brush and paint a blur on those branches.

Dec 18, 2013 at 08:45 PM

Kialya
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Do you like my family photo style?

I think the family will be pleased with them but they are missing the wow factor for me. I am not a fan of flash.

Dec 18, 2013 at 08:52 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Do you like my family photo style?

Actually, I looked a little closer at 2 and 3, and they were shot at an angle to the sun, so the side of the man's head is directly in the sun. If you look at No. 1, I believe the sun is provide rim backlighting to the man's head, and it works well for me there.

Dec 18, 2013 at 08:55 PM

Dentx
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Do you like my family photo style?

These look pretty good to me. I would really tone down the flash though and try to use it as just fill.

Dec 18, 2013 at 09:45 PM

Robin Usagani
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Do you like my family photo style?

Thanks for the detailed critique Friscoron. So what do I need to do to make it high end? (besides the critique you gave me)

Dec 18, 2013 at 10:03 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Do you like my family photo style?

I don't think this is the answer you're looking for, but I think photographers' ascent is driven by themselves. It's organic. I think it's important to study and research photography by our peers, particularly those who are shooting where we want to be. If we want to shoot high-end family portraits or weddings, we need to see what is currently being done in those markets in our area.

But we don't study or research to copy their methods or styles, but simply for inspiration.

I don't really believe in a template approach. Taking different families and shooting the same way for all of them. I think you go to an ideal location -- and I think it's critical that you find a number of different locations that work for different times of day and different times of year, esp in Colorado.

You have to know how to pose people and using natural or strobe lighting that is flattering. But then it's just a matter of connecting with them, finding what works for them as a unique group to photograph. Most importantly, you have to simply be yourself. If you're walking around with one of those pose card things, what the heck are you learning? You're learning to follow some instructions on a card. How long is that going to stay with you? This is my challenge, too, but I feel like I began coming into my own this year, or part of it is confidence derived from the little success I've had this year. But I'm still working on this every time I go out to shoot, no matter what the shoot.

It used to be that I would go out on a shoot and I would be stressed a bit because I wanted to do everything I'd seen in a photo magazine, or on the net, or one of these forums -- and I wasn't in the moment with the clients. I was trying to remember poses or lighting instead of interacting with them. Then I would rush through the shoot and it all just felt like a failure to me. I've realized the failure is that I just wasn't being myself.

Now I go to our location. I find the light. I find a good background. And then I focus on the clients. I have fun with them in ways I never do. I don't ask them to smile, I crack them up. I'll shoot some of them laughing then ask them to hold it, and the laughter evolves in a very nice, natural smile. Not that camera smile. Some people look awesome with a serious look, others look bored. So you find what works for them.

But don't take my word on all this, as I'm no high-end shooter. Not yet, anyway. I'm in Year 2 of a four-year plan to get there. So far, things are going well. And y'know, the thing is, if you're a formula shooter -- well, anyone can be a formula shooter. But there can only be one Robinson Usagani shooter. Only one. So be yourself, develop yourself, and sell yourself. And if you get there first, tell me all about it.

Dec 18, 2013 at 11:04 PM

Nexu
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Do you like my family photo style?

The flash does seem a little strong.

I wonder how much improvement you'd get if just toned down the highlights via lightroom (or other software) a bit.

Dec 18, 2013 at 11:26 PM

douter
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Do you like my family photo style?

To me, the flash is making these look like the people are in studio with mural type backgrounds. I would turn down or try some with just natural light and see which you prefer.
Douglas

Dec 19, 2013 at 06:59 AM

Stu Scully
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Do you like my family photo style?

Friscoron is on the money!

I'll add that "high-end" photography is a vague statement. Once you nail the basics (exposure and composition) everything else is "flair". You have to choose what styles you are comfortable with, that you want to be branded by!

In this case, the pictures you posted are much better that 99% of the family photos taken with a cell phone pic I see on social media sites! If I was the family in the photo I'd be pleased because you can see you were using decent off-camera flash/strobe techniques to get a picture you couldn't just get by ordinary means.

As far as critiquing them, I'd echo Nexu in that the highlights seem a bit strong. Not overblown, but just extra strong. bringing them down might make the photos a bit more pleasing to people that don't like such bright images.

My advise as far as reaching a "high-end" goal is to first define what "high-end" is to you. Look at magazines or online portfolios and find pictures that really blow you away. Once you've stopped drooling, sit down and truly break down the picture. Look at contrast, exposure, composition... If you can, contact the photographer and see if he/she will offer and tidbits of advise. Try to see if you can tell how they made that shot, then go out and try to repeat it. If you can repeat it, then try changing a few settings or modifying a few edits points to make it something different. Once you've done that you've found a "style" for yourself. Then all you have to do is go out and see if you can make it easily repeatable.

If you are shooting for yourself, then "high-end" is whatever puts a smile on your face when you are done processing the photo. If you want to make this a business then "high-end" is whatever has your clients running up to you randomly and planting a big fat kiss on your cheek (or firm handshake) thanking you for doing what you do!

Dec 19, 2013 at 07:39 AM

bryanlindsey
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Do you like my family photo style?

friscoron wrote:
...I don't ask them to smile, I crack them up....
...be yourself

Truth.

I'll take it a step farther...when I shoot, I've found that I take on a different persona, I call him "Bryan the Photographer." (not to my clients, of course) He's a slightly crazier, more talkative, engaging version of myself. FWIW

Dec 19, 2013 at 07:50 AM

Jim Rickards
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Do you like my family photo style?

What Ron said, especially this part:

"Now I go to our location. I find the light. I find a good background."

Look at the first picture. My eye doesn't go to their faces. It goes to the bright spots behind them - the strong light coming through the trees. Choose a background where this doesn't happen - like your #3 shot. They are the standout features of that shot. There are no bright distractions behind them. That's why people are choosing #3 as 'best'.

Dec 19, 2013 at 08:11 AM

Robin Usagani
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Do you like my family photo style?

Thanks everyone. I will lower the flash next time.

Dec 19, 2013 at 09:43 AM

jefferies1
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Do you like my family photo style?

I would work to bring more focus on the family and less on the surroundings. Avoid straight lines as seen in number 1. Look for a place where large rocks or tree trunks allow them to sit or lean. Blend the flash more with the ambient. You can accent with it but keep it softer. The boy on one knee. Crop it tight to the hairline and feet. It is about him not the trees in the background. The last one would make a perfect square crop. Cut 1 inch into the hairline. Yes it looks great in a frame that way, Cut mid arm ( you already removed half the fingers). Now 100% of the focus is on his face. This is a good shot but needs refinement. Do that and the mother will cry when she sees it! Ok, if you show it without a frame around it she may say why did you cut his head off. 100% of my clients say or think this. Simply add a 1" border when you show it and they will never mention the head is cut because it flows into the frame as if the frame is covering it.

Dec 19, 2013 at 11:49 AM

canerino
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Do you like my family photo style?

Ron nailed a lot of it. Especially this sentence:

"I don't think this is the answer you're looking for, but I think photographers' ascent is driven by themselves. It's organic."

Robin, I love ya. I really do. But I just cant wait till you start doing your own thing...organically. A better question is 'do you perceive these images as high quality?'

I think you are always looking for answers that only you can provide! Find a style that you love and master it. Love it. Be passionate and convincing about it. Until then, you are just in a long list of photographers who copy and use 'template work' (footnote to Ron).

Dec 19, 2013 at 02:02 PM

canerino
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Do you like my family photo style?

you asked the question 'do you like them?' i personally dont. i find the images very stiff and static. for example, look at the posing in the first image. everything is straight up and down (arms, legs, hands, fingers). everyone is tense (clenched jaws, clenched hands). it seems very painful for them. i put myself in the place of the guy here and i'd hate to do this session. but then again, i'm probably not your target audience.

Dec 19, 2013 at 02:29 PM

michaelglenn
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Do you like my family photo style?

First off, I think these are nice photographs of a family. You executed it well, although the flash could have been lowered a bit.

To reach "high quality/high end" photography, it involves mastering the art you are conveying. To become high end, people familiar with your work will be able to look at a photograph and say, that's a Robin Usagani photograph. It's all about branding and style.

You've proven the ability to take a quality photograph. But now it's a matter of honing in on that skill. Can you get your client completely comfortable and relaxed? Are you able to let them gain your trust? After the session, are they excited because they already know how great you are at what you do?

Mastering your skills involves more than just photography. It involves your brand name, your market, your social ability to interact with a client, and the ability to be the best "you". You will know when you've achieved that level. And when you do, people here at FM will praise you for it.

Keep on posting, and always ask yourself how to improve. Look for inspiration through those photographers that make you want to keep at it. As of right now, you're on the right track. Just keep an open mind, and you will improve leaps and bounds.

Dec 19, 2013 at 03:10 PM

MaxBerlin
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Do you like my family photo style?

Lots of good comments. 5 is the best. # 3 ? it's as if there's a glass reflection on the outside of the father. Not much separation being created by low dof. I saw this last night - liked what they did here. http://youtu.be/QBPM2dJVGxQ?t=1m

Dec 19, 2013 at 08:14 PM

Lisa_Holloway
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Do you like my family photo style?

The lighting isn't working for me (WAY too bright and unnatural looking) and honestly they look really stiff to me....I'd work on doing these using natural light and getting your clients to relax a bit. JMO.

Dec 19, 2013 at 08:16 PM

Robin Usagani
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Do you like my family photo style?

Thanks everyone. I am going to post another set with a different family. It is similar lighting. I am really trying to decide whether I should really lessen the flash. So far it seems everyone thinks it is too bright.

Dec 20, 2013 at 12:05 AM


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