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I thought I was done with family sessions. I couldn't get out of a posing rut and I hated all the stupid and sterile family shoots I did. But then I pulled myself up off my bootstraps, found a new, lovely and safe location to shoot families at, and told myself I was going to let it just happen and NOT pose them...well gosh darn it, I think it worked :-D
CC is always welcome...
I think when we think too much about posing, we miss out on what is right in front of us. These are really nice. My one cc suggestion is that when they're down on the ground, you get down there with them so you're not shooting down on them (unless you're getting an angle that works from there).
Another thing... I just like to let things happen as well, to a degree. But for example, No. 10 would have been just a killer shot if you were down there with them and then over to the left so you're featuring her face, eyes closed, loving on her Dad, and then you still have Dad's face loving on his little girl. If you just let things happen and don't assert any control, then the moment comes and goes and you were not quite in the right position to capture that iconic moment -- and it's gone, never to be seen again. But if you're letting things happen, and still maintaining control, then when you see that moment and realize you're in the wrong position, you talk to them, you say hold that, you say to the little girl that you want her to keep loving on her Daddy just the way she is... and most of the time, for me, they'll hold that while I get in position and get the shot.
friscoron wrote:
If you just let things happen and don't assert any control, then the moment comes and goes and you were quite in the right position to capture that iconic moment -- and it's gone, never to be seen again. But if you're letting things happen, and still maintaining control, then when you see that moment and realize you're in the wrong position, you talk to them, you say hold that, you say to the little girl that you want her to keep loving on her Daddy just the way she is... and most of the time, for me, they'll hold that while I get in position and get the shot. ...Show more →
Ron gave sage advice.
Catch the moment, then improve on it. I never liked "posing" my subjects. I worked to get them comfortable, then watch their natural body rhythm. I'd take what they gave me, then refine it.
OTOH, there's something to be said for the "captured moment" feel of #10 and others. Not taking the photo from the traditional viewpoint adds to a feeling of spontaneity; of a moment observed, not manufactured.
Curious that you should say that. One of my concerns about my family photography is that I have difficulty posing people. I tend to like to watch, observe, and shoot. I get some shots that way, but it would be nice to have more ability to pose, especially children, than I do now.
