Question - My family reunion is this year.  Can you do some great family portraits at our home, (the park, the beach, the mountain etc.)?

Answer - Yes, I love photographing families.

Question - How should we prepare?

Answer - First of all, if there are combinations of family pictures you’d like, make a list of them. An example would be, the entire group together, of course, and then sub sets of the various family groups, grandkids with grandparents, all of the cousins in one generation, couples, siblings…things like that.

Question - Our family reunion takes place at Christmastime.  Can we do indoor photos if it is cold and/or rainy?

Answer - In most cases, yes.

Question - What should we wear?

Answer - In large groups it’s unlikely that everyone will be color coordinated, but in the smaller family groupings, it’s most appropriate to harmonize and coordinate the colors being worn.  Choose colors in variations on themes of blues, or reds or pinks, greens, neutrals, earth tones, etc. Everyone in the smaller family groups will be in one family of colors eliminating clashing colors and busy patterns if possible.  Harmonizing in this way makes a nicer composition and symbolically adds to the relatedness of the people in the photos.

Question - Anything else?

Answer - Yes…Center yourselves before a portrait with well nourished and rested bodies and minds…Little ones (and adults) that are rested and have had some nourishing food have better moods and attention spans.

We can follow your list and be efficient and quick with your time. You may want to relax and release hard and habitual facial expressions (notice the lines in your face in a mirror and practice relaxing them) if appropriate, breathe deeply and enjoy yourselves. My job is to get the best photos I can for you and I will let you know what expressions and poses enhance your inner and external beauty, character, and relatedness. It’s a lot of fun and we can have a great time.