I had so many examples that I doubt I’ll fit them all into one post
But you can see a gallery of 200+ here
And if you ask for a password you can see all the 650+ that made the cut.
There are also two galleries on facebook – 2
You’ll notice there isn’t one focal picture in the bunch. There’s not one that is the pinnacle of perfection… but to this family there are many many that represent each person and will be fun to them.
Here are some examples:
As opposed to…
In the previous post I said why “Traditional” family portraits suck to do. (for me)
Now I’ll say why I think non-traditional family pictures could be the most fun a photographer could have.
What kind of pictures am I talking about?
I’m talking about unique experiences and events with tons of fun stuff going on… and a photographer is there to capture the moments.
A family Reunion
A day at the park
Game Night
A vacation
A Hike
A BBQ
Anything but just standing there in a line
Be creative!
One Possibility for the best pictures ever
I would much much rather show up at a house early in the morning as the family has a wonderfully prepared breakfast, eats together (all traditional like) then they head off to the park or beach or woods together and have a pic-nic and laugh and tell jokes and enjoy eachothers company. Perhaps throw the frisbee around or go swimming. Here and there they can line up so they’re all in the shot, either more formally or in their element. But those shots won’t be the focal point. Then they return home and all individually do the things they like doing. Dads fixing the old project car and getting greasy, mom is cooking, sewing, planting or vice versa. The little kid is playing with his cars. The young girl has her ballet outfit on. The teenager is playing his/her favorite sport, talking on the cellphone or using the computer haha… of they invite some of their friends along to do stuff. They have a BBQ and a party or what not….
The possibilities are limitless
I’m just coming up with this stuff on the spot… who knows what it could be… the possibilities are limitless.
What do you do with the pictures?
Again… Be creative.
Make a book.
Use on Blog, emails, websites
To REALLY document your family… not some stiff portrait
have lots of pictures for the walls… pick the best of each person
An EXAMPLE
I reconfirmed this theory by doing a 3 day family reunion with my family 3500 pictures later!!!
Check out the next couple of posts.
I’m not to into taking family portraits…
There’s a lot of stressing out going on in portraits.
Feeding Each other STRESS
Parents get stressed because they want things to go perfectly.
When kids get grumpy or distracted… the parents start to freak.
Which in turn makes the kids freak out more… which in turn…
I’m sure you get the picture.
Not “Good” Money
Besides family pictures aren’t really good money (comparatively)
It’s my opinion that the price structure for family pictures was based on buying prints.
This mindset of wanting mainly prints is largely disappearing for most families.
Prints aren’t as “big” as photographers would like
Heck I personally would rather have the disc than a print on my wall… specially since I move more often and I use blogs, websites and facebook mostly and I can print stuff up myself just fine.
So people don’t want as many prints but the sitting fee for portraits has largely stayed the same.
Then there’s the people who think that because a CD costs $1 (which it doesn’t more like .15 cents) that charging them $100 for a CD is next to highway robbery.
Personally I don’t like being in charge of printing… I want to be paid for what I do (photograph) I don’t want to push products (like prints, albums etc)
I understand that the market and the abundance of new photographers will push prices down for photographers as some raise their prices (like I do all the time)
Not For me
All I’m saying is Traditional Family Picture sessions are not worth it for me.
I put up with boring weddings because they’re a lot of money and they’re very important.
Go to a studio for the traditional Shots
But i think if people are looking for good prices for family pictures they should go to studios, that’s their thing.
The Exception
That being said I have actually had a couple of families that were all right and enjoyable experiences
And in down times I’m sure I’d say yes because the money is nice… I’m just saying I don’t like it much.
But I like a “real” job…. way way less!
