OUTDOOR FAMILY PORTRAIT POSES WITH PETS

We encourage families to include their pets when doing their family portraits. Sure, it’s more challenging, but in the many years that we’ve been doing portrait photography at The Storytellers we’ve found that the more people we photograph in a given session more great images are created and the better the sale as a result. So, that also applies to pets; after all they’re part of the family, too!

Note: because this concept has proven itself over and over again we never charge extra beyond our usual session fees for additional relatives in a portrait session (we love family reunions!). Don’t put up roadblocks to making better sales!

So, do close-ups….

f5.6 @ 1/125 sec., ISO 400; Lens @ 145mm

During the session—we do the whole family group first and find out who belongs to the dog. Who has that special connection with the dog? You can usually tell just by observing the family dynamics and then suggest special combinations. If they hesitate, I just say, we’re all here, you’re dressed perfectly, we can give you more choices and we have no time limits on your session!

Do individual portraits….

f5.6 @ 1/125 sec., ISO 400; lens @ 155mm

Since they had their dog groomed—complete with a ribbon-bow—for this session and that dog is gorgeous anyway this was a slam-dunk. Besides I wanted this for my portfolio!

Note:   Always have squeaker toys in your camera bag to get their attention—the people as well as the animals! 

Here’s one of the family poses…we do at least 2 and try for 3

f8.0 @ 1/60 sec., ISO 400; Lens @ 125mm

As I already said, we always start with the whole group portrait first because that’s the hardest pose and the reason we all came together in the first place.  This image was taken about an hour and a half before sunset. As is my usual procedure (and my artistic style) I place my subjects with the sun setting BEHIND them to get that nice backlit background. In addition I make sure the there is a large patch of clear blue sky as the Key Light; that way I never need to resort to any ugly fill flash.

’Til next week…any questions? Don’t hesitate to ask…

Author: Jerry W. Venz, PPA Master Photographer, Craftsman

Training Site: http://www.LightAtTheEdge.com

Client Site: http://www.TheStorytellersUsa.com