Two Tricks for Taking Good Group Photos
It’s difficult to get a group photo without most of the participants looking as if their captors were forcing them to look natural for the security cameras. In my family, we have two tricks for getting good group shots. The right trick to use depends on what type of situation you are trying to photograph.
Situation the First: You are trying to photograph an event that is in fact occurring at that very moment, such as Thanksgiving dinner, and the participants are already in place, doing whatever it is you want to document for all time, and you don’t want one of those “candid” shots where everyone can SEE you have a camera pointed at them so they get all self-conscious and start secretly posing. Here is where you use my mother’s trick: she tells everyone to look down at their plates, and NO SMILING ALLOWED. Then she says she will count to three, and on the count of three everyone should look up and break into radiant smiles. “One….two…THREE!” Since everyone smiles at the same instant, and the photographer is all set to take the picture before anyone starts to smile, the smiles are fresh and sparkly rather than stuck to dry teeth.
Situation the Second: You want a photo of everyone together, or a photo of Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandchildren, or any other posed group–but you want everyone looking cute, not tortured. Here is where you use my brother’s trick. You set the camera to take the photo in timer mode, even if you have a spare person available who could take the photo. Have the group pose roughly the way you’ll want them, so that the camera will be zoomed the right amount. Okay, is the camera all set? Then EVERYONE who’s going to be in the photo should come over and stand by the camera–not just the person who needs to stand there to press the button. Anyone not able to move comfortably can stay in the pose position, but everyone else should be at the camera. Press the button, and now EVERYONE run to get into position before the 10 seconds is up. This results in rosy-cheeked, happy-looking groups, though the group gets more disheveled looking with every “one more time, just to be sure we got a good one.”
Hey, Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow, if applicable!
Posted: November 21st, 2007 under How-to, Photography.
Comments: 21
Comments
Comment from Elizabeth Brooks
Time: November 21, 2007, 6:29 am
This is great advice, thanks for sharing!
Comment from LoriD
Time: November 21, 2007, 7:14 am
Very good ideas. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Comment from Marie Green
Time: November 21, 2007, 7:43 am
David’s family does the dreaded group shot every Christmas. We all line up in front of the fireplace. There are 8 children and 17 grandchildren, plus spouces etc- 30 something people in all. Can you imagine the 2nd method with that group??? Oh, the idea of it is making my day. There would be broken bones, I am sure of it. I think the 1st option would maybe work better- but man I’m still cracking up about the other way.
Comment from Marie Green
Time: November 21, 2007, 7:45 am
PS. I love these tips and will be trying them out… for every situation EXCEPT for the in-law family pic. That’s what I’m trying to say here. Wait. I’m not sure it’s clear yet. Let me try again:
Great ideas! Thanks!
Comment from Bunny
Time: November 21, 2007, 7:57 am
I will have to try those!
Comment from dregina
Time: November 21, 2007, 10:35 am
My friend Seamus taught me this trick (again, those physically unable to participate can just stand by) -
Tell everyone you want to get a picture of them jumping. Get the camera set up and say, ONE TWO THREE……JUMP!!!
The picture of everyone up in the air is hilarious, and then, when everyone lands, say, “Ok, real quick, a group shot,” and take it - people will be rosy cheeked and laughing.
Comment from Nichole
Time: December 3, 2007, 8:54 am
Great ideas — thanks!
Comment from tyn
Time: December 9, 2007, 10:02 am
LOL@ running from the camera to the positions –
i could imagine grandparents running with their canes, or racing with their wheel chair. im kidding. obviously they would be or should be in place already…
but overall, both are cool and awesome tips and tricks for lovely group photo ops! =)
Comment from Jedd
Time: June 2, 2008, 6:31 am
There’s also the Sway. Works with small, informal groups. Let the group put their arms over each other’s shoulders or hips and on the count of three everyone sways to the left as far as they can 
Also the Squeeze. Zoom closer, tell the people farthest from the center that they have to quickly “squeeze” into the frame otherwise they won’t make the shot!
Pingback from SundryBuzz: Two Tricks for Taking Good Group Photos « Williamo’s Blog.
Time: June 2, 2008, 11:34 am
[…] June 2, 2008 Great article from SundryBuzz about taking good group photos: It’s difficult to get a group photo without most of the participants looking as if their captors were forcing them to look natural for the security cameras. In my family, we have two tricks for getting good group shots. The right trick to use depends on what type of situation you are trying to photograph. […]
Comment from subcorpus
Time: June 2, 2008, 3:17 pm
if i cud explain why i am trying to get ever1 behind the camera … this is gonna be good …
Pingback from Dos trucos para fotos grupales más espontáneas: BlogFotografos
Time: June 3, 2008, 6:15 am
[…] Fuente: SundryBuzz | Imagen: LifeHacker Dos trucos para fotos grupales más espontáneas […]
Comment from Marissa
Time: June 3, 2008, 6:19 pm
These tips are great!
Pingback from Take Better Group Photos with a Ten-Second Race [Photography Tip] · TechBlogger
Time: June 8, 2008, 7:59 pm
[…] The SundryBuzz blog offers up some key advice on taking group photos that aren’t boring, both for the participants and in the final result. As long as everyone in group is able to move about, place your subjects behind a digital camera, or put the camera facing up at a distance. Trigger a 10-second timer, wait a few seconds, then have everybody race to get into the frame. You’ll likely genuine smiles and enthusiasm, rather than faces strained from trying not to blink. For group photos of the more low-key variety, check out these helpful tips. Photo by jon gos. Two Tricks for Taking Good Group Photos [SundryBuzz via Photojojo] […]
Comment from Edwinek
Time: June 9, 2008, 12:11 am
Great ideas, I’m definitely going to try them, especially the second one.
Comment from NN6
Time: June 9, 2008, 10:12 am
The second one is really some GREAT idea. Thank you!
Comment from Jessica
Time: June 9, 2008, 12:25 pm
or you could just fart right before the photo is taken. That usually makes people smile. =]
Pingback from links for 2008-06-10 « Donghai Ma
Time: June 9, 2008, 9:30 pm
[…] SundryBuzz | advice you didn’t ask for » Two Tricks for Taking Good Group Photos (tags: photography tips photos howto interesting camera advice) […]
Pingback from Dos trucos para tomar buenas fotos grupales — Francisco Lobos
Time: June 12, 2008, 12:09 am
[…] Dos trucos para tomar buenas fotos grupales. Me gustó el segundo: Poner a la gente detrás de la cámara, disparar con self-timer y hacer que corran al lugar de la foto. […]
Comment from Wortman
Time: June 13, 2008, 6:39 am
good idea! i must laugh when i think about it…
hurry, hurry…KLICK… ooops
Comment from subcorpus
Time: June 20, 2008, 4:47 pm
goos stuff here …
thanks for sharings …
especially like the second tip …
will try than one someday … but am sure i’ll get some questions like … “what kinda photographer are you … ???”
hehe …
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