Photographing Families: Designing Custom Portraits with Character & Style

by Elizabeth Homan (Photographer), Trey Homan (Photographer)

Overview

Traditional portrait photographers, for centuries, have relied upon lighting and posing conventions that were largely based on the aesthetic ideals set forth by Master painters and sculptors. The results of their rigid approach to depicting the family resulted in a cookie-cutter look to portraiture. The subjects were beautifully lit, stiffly posed, and, well, proper. The resulting image presented a likeness of each family member but did not speak to the inner lives of the subjects.

Today, portraiture has changed along with the modern family. Families want portraits that make a statement—an image that tells viewers a story about the subjects who have gathered together in front of the camera. These portraits have a looser, “lifestyle” feel and are made, as they have traditionally been, inside of a photographic studio. Today, however, these portraits are also often captured in the family home, at an outdoor location—whether at the beach or in the heart of the city, or some other location that has personal meaning to the family.

In this book, Elizabeth and Trey present 60 of their favorite and most diverse family portraits, showing you the art and technique of creating highly salable portraits. With every captivating image, you’ll learn how the Homans masterfully orchestrated the technical and artistic aspects of the portrait, from the location or backdrop selection, to the overall compositional qualities, to the arrangement of the group in the scene, to the individual poses. You’ll also learn the strategies Elizabeth and Trey used to create natural poses that contribute to the feel of the portrait and will learn how the lighting (studio light, existing light, and natural light) was harnessed to create a polished, professional portrait.

Perhaps one of the big challenges of photographing families is that no family grouping or family dynamic is the same. This book will arm you with the tools you need to work with the smallest to largest groupings, including a wide range of subjects, from newborns to the elderly.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608959297
Publisher:	Amherst Media, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/26/2016
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Elizabeth and Trey Homen own and operate Artistic Images Portrait Studio in San Antonio, Texas where they have enjoyed a very successful business for the past 22 years. The studio is located on 2 ½ wooded acres where they have created a beautiful portrait garden. Elizabeth is known for her artistic portraiture of families, children and seniors, and her dynamic images of brides.

Elizabeth has won many awards for her wedding photographs, portraiture and portrait albums. She has 14 Fuji Masterpiece awards, 5 Kodak Gallery awards and many Professional Photographers of America Loan Collection images. She was selected as a PPA ELITE member in 2014, one of only 26 members selected out of 27,000 for photographic excellence!

Trey manages the studio, computer systems, album design and designs all of the marketing pieces. Trey is also known as the “baby whisperer” and has a fantastic rapport with children of all ages.

Trey and Elizabeth have 3 young boys, one with special needs, which keep them busy. When they are not at home with their sons or working at the studio, they travel around the country giving seminars to other photographers. Elizabeth and Trey love what they do and hope to always be able to encourage others to get the most out of this wonderful profession!

Table of Contents

About the Authors 5

1 Hill Country Baby 6

Selecting the Time of Day, Goal of the Session, Planting the Seeds for the Sale, Know the Smile-Making Poses

2 A Sunken Garden 8

Work with Clients on Color Scheme, Utilizing Levels, Groups and Breakdowns, Lighting the Subjects, Entertaining the Children

3 Dune Sunrise 10

Be Mindful of the Wind, Look for Vantage Points, Photographing Teenagers

4 You Lift Me Up 12

Photographs Tell a Story, Give Them Variety, Key to Interactive Portraiture, Do Whatever It Takes for Expression, Lighting

5 Fall on the Guadalupe 14

Autumn Colors, Giving the Effect of Fall, Train Your Clients, Working with Older Kids

6 Seaside Generations 16

Seagulls Add Interest, The Importance of an Assistant, Posing on the Beach

7 Generations in Springtime 18

Planning the Session, Photograph All Possible Combinations, Look for the Perfect Shade

8 Waterside, Wind and Waves 20

Light from the Rising Sun, A Favorite Pose, Fooling the Seagulls

9 Urban Family 22

Creating a Contemporary Look, Getting Their Attention

10 The Big Apple 24

Location, Repeat Clients Are the Best Clients, Destination Portraits, Getting Everyone's Attention

11 Back to Nature 26

A Moment m Time, Capturing the Expression

12 Flowers and Fun 28

Bluebonnets, Seize the Moment, End of Day Sessions with Small Children

13 A Special Time at Home 30

Photographing a Family with a Special Needs Child, Make the Best of Adverse Conditions, Have the Portrait Tell the Story

14 Summer in the Park 32

Finding a Great Location, Creating Memories, Variety in Posing and Composition, Working with Children

15 Waterfall Backdrop 34

Cultivate Premiere Clients, Posing Larger People, Popular Settings Can Change, Being Gross Evokes Expressions

16 Holding Hands in the Park 36

Know to What the Child Will Respond, Vary the Posing and Locations. A Natural Foundation

17 Majestic Mission Door 38

Mission San Jose. Planning Consultation. Know Your Location, Composition, Exposure, Lighting, and Settings

18 Where the Heart Is 40

Communication, Be Prepared for Last Minute Change of Venues, Secondary Images

19 Formal Family Gardens 42

My Client, Her Patient, Trey and His Bag of Tricks, Photographing for an Album

20 A Bluebonnet Afternoon 44

Generational Portraits, A Short Window of Time, Bring the Necessary Props, Positioning

21 NYC Bright Lights, Big City 46

Explore New Venues, Good Weather, an Agreeable Teenager, and Numerous Locations

22 Resting in Our Arms 48

Relationship Portrait, Getting the Baby to Sleep, Tricks for Little Children, Lighting the Subjects

23 Family Traditions 50

Portraits with Meaning, Lighting and Exposure, Photograph for Variety

24 Museum Arches 52

Creating Memories from Special Moments, Designing the Session, Composition, Lighting and Camera information

25 Home Sweet Home 54

Portraits Made in the Home Have Special Meaning, A Star Was Born, Think Outside the Box

26 By the River Bank 56

The Environment as a Posing Tool, Know the Contemporary Lingo

27 Backyard Party 58

Sometimes You Cannot Reschedule, Hawaiian Flair, Clothing Changes

28 Family in Red 60

Using a Natural Background, Secondary Images, Holiday Portrait Special Sessions

29 Historic Architecture 62

Architectural Surfaces, Photographing an Active Child

30 Cabin Fever 64

Clothing Guidelines, Creating Levels, Children Should Be Rested and Fed

31 Skipping Rocks by the River 66

Early Morning Light, Let Kids Be Kids, Fun Poses

32 Lavender by the Pond 68

Multi-Generational Portrait, Discards Can Wind Up in an Album

33 Bringing Baby Home 70

Finding the Perfect Location, Give Them a Variety of Secondary Images, Allow More Time for Newborns

34 The River Runs 72

The Shy Child, Get to Know Your Subject, Family Day Events

35 Family by the Fireplace 74

Photograph Your Client in Their Favorite Place, Find Out the Magic Word, Know the Needs of a Long Time Client

36 Family Time 76

Repeat Clients Are the Best Clients, Early Morning Light, Obtaining Permission or Permits

37 Hawaii: Sunset in Paradise 78

Photographing After Sunset, Painted Portrait

38 Cypress Leaves and Twisted Bark 80

A Different Perspective, Entertaining the Baby

39 Big Red Barn 82

Popular Location, Find a Motif That Fits Your Clients' Personality, Perspective, Be Prepared for All Situations

40 On the Porch 84

Multi-Purpose Building, Utilizing the Property, Leave Them Wanting More

41 Family at the Mission 86

Color Harmony, Time Constraints, Indirect Lighting, Architecture and Posing, Creating Dimension

42 Trickling Stream 88

Perfect Size Group, Early Morning Session, Getting the Parents to Listen

43 Country Chic 90

Long-Time Client in an Old Town, White and Turquoise, It Is Fun to Photograph Fun People

44 Sands of Time 92

A Referral from Another Photographer, Getting to Know the Subject

45 Classic Black & White 94

Relationship Portraits, Photograph in Color, Convert to Black & White, Different Background for Different Looks

46 Family Tree 96

Going the Extra Mile with a New Client, Coordinating Colors, Creating Levels and Depth

47 Nine Kids and Counting 98

Reconnecting with an Old Client, Cooperation

48 Shades of Pink 100

Pastel Colors and Casual Attire, Challenging Age Groups, Posing in a Perfect World

49 The Bond of Family 102

Black & White Portraits, Creating Timeless Portraits

50 Dad Wore Red 104

Photographing in a Park, Finding a Less Crowded Place to Photograph, Non-Seasonal Seasonal Portraits

51 Sand Between OurToes 106

Sunrise on the Beach, Overcoming Energetic Children, Creating a Wall Collection

52 Gathered All Together 108

Large Groups, Limited Space, Pre-Ponrait Consultation

53 Family Made of Love 110

Creating a Flattering Portrait, Mastering the Individual Poses

54 The Family Farm 112

Posing Amongst the Cow Patties, Early Morning Sunlight, Complementary Clothing

55 Expectant Family 114

Creating Drama, Earning Mom's Trust, Black & White versus Color

56 Footsteps in the Sand 116

Destination Portraits, Learn to Work Quickly, Vacationing Families Are Relaxed, Be Alert for Unexpected Treasures

57 Field of Blue 118

Unique Designs, Create a Market for Your Top Product

58 Texas Family Ranch 120

Proper Use of an Old Shed with Character, Include Everybody in the Secondary Images, Late Day Sun

59 Vibrant Texans 122

Sometimes Mom Does What She Wants, Creating a Simple Portrait

60 A Family's Best Friend 124

Pets Are People Too, Overcoming the Non-Smiler, Making Dad Smile

Index 126