Studio on Location
As photographers, we have the opportunity to create images to be cherished by families for generations. We bring people into out studios, or go out on location, and spend time setting up our lights, backdrop and props. We meter our lights, pose our subjects and create our images.
Though I love creating family portraits in the studio, I so much more love creating family portraits at events on location. Why? Because the family portrait was not planned, nobody has been uptight about the session and, because it’s usually a fun event, everyone is having fun. They are relaxed.
The downside to creating such a family portrait is that you need to be more generic with your lighting and often times, you are limited on space. You also don’t get to do a clothing consultation.
Indeed, all a fact with this image. This is during an event at my church. I am set up in a room that is about 8x12. No way can I set up my softboxes, so I am forced to umbrellas. I don’t have the depth to move the subjects the proper distance from the background. And, I don’t have the luxury of steaming out my backdrop.
But, what did I end up with? A beautiful family portrait that, while it’s not going to win any awards in print competition, is going to allow this family to remember this evening for years to come and remember just being together as a family.
And, I have to say, even though I did not get to do a clothing consultation, this works really well. Even mom, the glue of many families, in her red top. It makes her stand out.
This was lit with two White Lightning UZ1600 heads with 5’ umbrellas. Any hint of a hair/separator light is purely bounce of the low, white ceiling.
Studio on Location
As photographers, we have the opportunity to create images to be cherished by families for generations. We bring people into out studios, or go out on location, and spend time setting up our lights, backdrop and props. We meter our lights, pose our subjects and create our images.
Though I love creating family portraits in the studio, I so much more love creating family portraits at events on location. Why? Because the family portrait was not planned, nobody has been uptight about the session and, because it’s usually a fun event, everyone is having fun. They are relaxed.
The downside to creating such a family portrait is that you need to be more generic with your lighting and often times, you are limited on space. You also don’t get to do a clothing consultation.
Indeed, all a fact with this image. This is during an event at my church. I am set up in a room that is about 8x12. No way can I set up my softboxes, so I am forced to umbrellas. I don’t have the depth to move the subjects the proper distance from the background. And, I don’t have the luxury of steaming out my backdrop.
But, what did I end up with? A beautiful family portrait that, while it’s not going to win any awards in print competition, is going to allow this family to remember this evening for years to come and remember just being together as a family.
And, I have to say, even though I did not get to do a clothing consultation, this works really well. Even mom, the glue of many families, in her red top. It makes her stand out.
This was lit with two White Lightning UZ1600 heads with 5’ umbrellas. Any hint of a hair/separator light is purely bounce of the low, white ceiling.