Initiallythekeyto deliveringa goodsolidgroupshot is
planningand forward thinking.Thephotographer should
ensurethateverythingisreadyandinplaceforthegroupto
be posed, and expressions given readily. With larger
grouping thephotographer willneedto work quicklyto
ensureallparticipantsareengagedatthesametimeanddo
not lose interest. Especially if the group has children
involved,thisbecomesofparamountimportance,asthey
willquicklybecomedisinterestediftoomuchtimeisspent
in one position.
Clothingchoiceistheprimaryconsideration,andshouldbe
discussedwiththegroupbeforehand.Whethertheshootis
inthestudiooronlocationthefinalpiecewillbefarmore
cohesiveiftherehasbeenproperconsultationonwhateach
participant is to wear. Theclothing should all be fairly
neutral and tonally similar. If one person is wearing a
strongercolour,theywillautomaticallybecomedominant
within the frame, and the portrait will look unbalanced.
Whendealingwithlargergroupsthephotographerneedsto
looknotonlyatthegroupingasawholebutalsoatsmaller
subgroupsofpeople.Quiteoftenlargergroupscanbemade
upofsmallerfamilygroupings,andideallytheseshouldbe
kepttogether,andposedasaunitwithinthelargerset-up.
Thebest place to startwork is to set up thepose, one
family grouping at a time, working from the centre
outwards.Ifthegatheringisagenerationshootideallythe
more senior members of the family should be placed
centrally and towards the top of the grouping in a
protectivemanner, soitwouldmakeideal senseto start
here.