How should I pose a 7-year-old with different family members for birthday portraits outdoors?
Asked 8/8/2013
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I’ve been asked to photograph a 7-year-old’s birthday party and make a portrait of him with each family member, one person at a time. We’ll likely shoot outdoors in front of a tree. The challenge is that some relatives are elderly, some are much taller or larger than the child, and I’m unsure how to pose each pair so the photos look natural and flattering. I was considering having some adults sit in a chair with the child standing beside them, but I’m not sure what works best for different ages and relationships. What are some simple posing and composition ideas for this kind of family portrait setup?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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I think you have the right idea with having the 7 year old standing, it might be awkward for a boy that age to sit on the lap of family members - and the images will show that. Keep everyone comfortable. If grandma or grandpa are in the picture, and they would be more comfortable sitting, certainly provide them a chair. If the picture is with the 7 year old and a 20 something year old cousin, they might be comfortable jumping up and down. The idea is to vary the poses and keep them age appropriate.
If you have already decided the images will be under a tree, I would consider the size of the tree and the shade that it provides. It is important that all faces and bodies(if possible) are in the shade. Make sure that some faces aren't in sunlight and some aren't, that is an easy mistake to make.
Shade is usually a photographers best friend if it is a bright sunny day. If it is overcast, it doesn't matter much. I would bring your subjects as far away from the tree trunk as possible to give some background separation between the subjects and the tree - but keep in mind that you want to be in the shade.
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
13y ago
0
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Use comfort and relationship as your guide. For a 7-year-old, avoid poses that feel awkward just because they seem traditional. A chair is a good option for older relatives who would be more comfortable seated, with the child standing beside them, slightly turned in toward the adult. He can also stand behind or beside the chair, or hug from behind if it feels natural.
For younger adults or cousins, vary the pose more—standing together, leaning in, or doing something playful can work well. Keeping one simple “standard” pose for everyone helps move things along, then take an extra shot where each pair can do something more personal or fun.
Watch height differences: if needed, have the child stand on something stable so faces are closer together. Most importantly, keep poses age-appropriate and relaxed.
Since you’ll be under a tree, make sure everyone is evenly shaded. Avoid having one face in sun and the other in shade, which is a common problem outdoors.
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