Taking family portraits out of doors is a great way to make use of natural ambient lighting in splendid combination with the bounty of settings that nature provides for us all.
First, here is a quick review of what you will need to get started.
Obviously, you will need a camera. If you are using a film camera, assuming you will be making use of posed, still photography, you will want film with lower ASA numbers on it since that will be slower film, but will give the greatest color saturation for your pictures. If you are planning on using a digital camera, your settings will depend upon whether or not you wish to print your pictures, or make them available on the web, the higher resolutions for print and lower ones for the Internet.
You will also want to get a tripod. Whether or not you plan on being in the photograph, having a camera mounted on a tripod will allow you to minimize movements on the camera while the shutter is released, thereby providing you with the possibility of clearer, sharper pictures. Yes, you can put the camera on the wall to take a picture, but you will be running the risk of damaging the camera and not getting the shots you want. A tripod lets you place the camera exactly where you want it, and lets you set the precise angle you wish to shoot for your pictures.
Tripods can be found on the Internet, in photographic and video catalogues and stores that specialize in or have departments for photography and film making. They range in price from the very inexpensive (and the very basic) to the very expensive and high end professional kind of tripods which have precise measurements and adjustments. These allow for the greatest accuracy in picture taking.
The last important piece of equipment which you might consider owning, especially if you plan in being in the family portraits that you are taking, is a cable release. What a cable release does is give you the flexibility of timing. Most cameras have self-timers on them, and if you press the button for this function, you should have just about enough time to run and jump into the picture before the shutter releases itself and the picture is taken. It is, however, leaving a lot to chance. A cable release will allow you to control exactly when the shutter is released, thereby giving you the opportunity to get into the group shot and take the picture when you, the photographer, are ready to do so. You can purchase cable releases at the same places as you would the tripods.
Other pieces of equipment that would be helpful are light meters, interchangeable lenses (if your camera is the kind that accepts interchangeable lenses), and assorted filters, if you are looking for a particular kind of effect in your shot.
Before we get started, here is one other tip for making the perfect portrait: take a lot of pictures! Any good photographer will tell you that it takes quite a number of shots to make one really stellar picture that is worthy of sharing with everyone. Considering that this is a group shot, inevitably, there will be a few pictures that present the kinds of errors you most likely would prefer to avoid: your subject looking away, someone blinking or someone making a strange face. Want some insurance that you know will give you the piece of mind that you will have a great portrait? Use a lot of film or make sure your smart stick or smart card holds a good number of shots.
Generally, at this point, you are now ready to take your pictures.
Now, there are several determining factors which will dictate the kinds of portraits you wish to create.
Some of the things to think about are whether or not you want the portrait to be casual or formal dress, monochromatic or coordinating outfits, or random mixes of colors and styles. Another consideration would be if your portrait was to be a picture of a large or small group shot and lastly, whether or not you plan on making use of props or banners.
If you want coordinating or matching outfits of similar colors, you should probably think about backgrounds which provide strong contrasts. By doing so, your subjects (that is, the family in the portrait) will not fade or blend into the background. If you have a large group for the shot, you might want to use a wider angled lens on your camera (for example, 28mm or something around these numbers.) If you want close up photography on a smaller group, you might want to think about a lens that is around 80mm.
Now, the last thing to consider is the actual background or setting. Here are some suggestions based upon seasons and the weather.
Winter: If you are in a particularly snowy place, colorful snowsuits and ski suits really add some punch to your picture. Ski resorts always have beautiful naturalistic and fun settings, such as trees, mountains, snow mobiles, toboggans and the like, but you can achieve that same effect without ever leaving home. Is your house blanketed with snow, lovely white powder covering the eaves and roofline? Taking a picture on the front steps of your snow covered home can be enchanting and add just the right touch if you wish to include a family portrait in your holiday cards.
Do you have a large tree on your property with greenish pine needles protruding out from underneath a layer of fluffy snow? It can provide the perfect backdrop with which to assemble the entire family to get that one of a kind shot that will be suitable for framing.
Other things to look for are icicles, snowmen, sleds and brightly colored mittens. They make great props and lend a touch of the whimsical to your pictures. For fun, you might want family members to all wear the same fun and funky snow hats, or for each to hold a snow shovel in front of them, forming a particular sort of pattern.
Spring: This is the time when everything starts to bloom! Flowers, trees and grass are plentiful, especially in late spring, but some come up for early spring, too. Public gardens are fantastic places to take portraits because you can collect the family in front of flowering trees, shady trees and bouquets of flowers bursting with color. The results will be spectacular!
On a warm day, you can have everyone in the picture sit on the ground surrounded by daffodils and tulips. If you want some fun or texture, try taking your pictures in front of an old, slightly weathered barn, on a farm with horses, by a river bank where the water is full from newly melted snow from the winter just past, or even a grassy hillside.
Is there an interesting fence nearby with giant sunflowers growing up the wall? Strategically place your family members amongst these charming flowers for a bright, sunny portrait. Do you like to go strawberry picking or apple picking? What better place on a nice sunny day is there than to have your family appear in a photo having fun with one another while enjoying the fruit that nature is offering. Climbing the apple trees, or sitting down with a bushel of red berries can be a most delightful thing to see.
Summer: Ah summer! The beach (with its sand and ocean and boardwalks) and pools and lakes and carnivals and hot air balloon festivals and amusement parks are all the epitome of the ideal summer backdrop! The list goes on and on, here! All of these place provide the perfect setting for exciting and happy portraits. Brightly colored summer clothing can add sparkle and pizzazz to your pictures.
Have a barbecue for your family. Ask everyone to gather by size along the steps and railings of your deck. Now, there is a shot! Does your family like baseball? It provides a great setting for a portrait. And, if everyone roots for the same team, dress in team colors or tee shirts! Maybe you can check it out to see if the team mascot will be willing to pose with you all in the shot. (Many local teams will be happy to oblige your requests, too.)
Want some more ideas? How about taking a portrait on a boat? There are canoes and speedboats and sailboats and catamarans. A nautical theme can be an inspired choice when choosing your setting for your portrait.
And Autumn: The leaves are just starting to change color, so pack up the family and head to the country. The colors you'll find that nature generously gives you are green and gold and rust and burgundy and plum and orange. There is just a bit of a nip in the air - enough to give your family subjects just a hint of rose in their cheeks.
Some other suggestions would be to try an arboretum or a hayride for a creative set-up for your family portrait. Old mills and Victorian houses and charmingly recreated seaport villages are just the ticket for a photo shoot of your family in the fall. Find an old general store and have everyone sit on rocking chairs that grace the front porch.
If you like sports, plan an outing to a football game and attend a tailgater. Organize everyone around the flags and vans - and start shooting those pictures.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless. Have a wonderful time taking those family portraits that everyone will cherish in the future, and make sure to tell everyone to smile and say, "Cheese!"
