How to Easily Take Large Group Photos- Without the Stress!

Shooting a large group of people soon? Feeling a little stressed out? It’s tricky! But, going into your photo session with a large group knowing a few key things can put your mind at ease and make you feel way more confident and ready to rock it when the time comes for your large group session. Keep on reading to learn what you can do before and during your large group session.

Before The session

Get as much information as you can about the group you?ll be working with.

You should be very clear about:

• The number of people
• Ages of people (It’s a lot different working with 20 two year olds than 20 thirty year olds)
• Any accommodation you might need to make for anyone in the group. Will someone need to be seated? Is there anyone who can’t walk far distances? Has allergies (depending on location), etc.?
• Know how many breakout groups/families you’ll be working with within the large group as well. You might have four families of 5 or 10 couples. The number of different grouping could affect the amount of time you’ll need. 
• Know your location. Where will you be shooting at? Make sure you know when the light is the best and if there will be enough room to shoot a large group. Go there before hand and scope out at least two different areas that will be able to easily accommodate the number of people you?ll be shooting. 

Make sure to talk with the families ahead of time and get clear on this information. The more you know, the better prepared you can be before the day of the shoot!

During the Session

• When working with large groups it can be easy for things to lose control of the session if you aren’t confident. Some people in the group might have different ideas about how the session should go. Make sure you go into the session from the beginning taking charge with the confidence you know you have. Introduce yourself, smile, assure everyone that you are there to make them look their best and provide them with awesome pictures!
• Guide the group to the first great area of the location (that you have previously scoped out, remember?) And begin to position them into a great pose. Don’t know any? Check out 9 ways to pose large groups right here.
• Now, this is important, before you start shooting, step back and take a look. Can you see everyone? Are there clashing colors? Anyone’s sunglasses still on? Phones in pockets? ?Pay close attention to detail. ?There is likely to be something out of place and you?ll want to catch this before you even start taking the pictures. ?It will help you so, so, so much when it comes to editing. ?
• Once everyone is looking great then press that shutter. ?Make sure to take several as within large groups it is highly likely that someone will have their eyes closed or will be making a weird face. ?You might need to do a little head swapping in while editing.

If you want to get a little more creative with the photos you can take a look here for How to Capture Natural Interactions with Families. This will help you get some shots that might not be as posed. (There’s a free checklist for you there too!)

Make sure to smile a lot, stay confident and have fun with everyone.Now go for it and have fun! I know you’ll do great!

What has worked for you while working with a large group? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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