Making natural looking family group photos is a challenge, not only to get your family to relax and be at ease but also putting them in a pose that shows their best side. Helping people feel at ease in front of the camera is more than half the trick to getting a great shot, and the more people you have in the photo the harder it becomes to get that right shot.

Try to avoid using on camera direct flash with your group shots it not only adds harsh shadows to the scene but is disturbing to the subjects. So try and find an area to photograph in where your light is good from the start and flash isn't needed. If flash is still needed try to bounce the flash off of the ceiling or a wall so the lighting isn't so harsh and straight on. Or if you have them available have a large lighting source off to the side lighting your subject at an angle. Remember if you are using large lighting panels, let your subjects get accustomed to the light before you just start snapping away

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