How to be Photographed in a Group shot Part II

“A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.”

Annie Leibovitz

Certainly great photographers like Leibovitz bring an energy to their photographs and subjects.  The most important quality a people photographer can have is the love and understanding of People.

I am presenting a few more examples of group  images I have created (as opposed to individual portraits) where you as a potential photo subject can gather ideas of how to enjoy and be present within the group.

Female executives pose for a cover story of a trade magazine.
Each person is fully engaged in the moment and responding to directions. The group looks cohesive yet strongly individual.
Tip-In this photo shoot there was a hair and make-up artist employed.  For an important planned group shot, consider the appearance you want to portray.
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Commercial shoot capturing a slice of life scenario. Here is a multi-generational birhday party scene for a senior living retirement organization. True engagement in a mutual activity creates a fun dynamic image, with emotion and personality.

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A group photo of co-workers taken after each one had there individual portrait taken. A unified and focused engagement while forgetting about the photographic result created a relaxed and joyful group shot.

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While photographing at Good Morning America, the audience lost any self-conciousness and engaged in a puppy for adoption created a sweet moment of this group. Photographed using the available TV lighting.

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Impromptu Group shot, While photographing the Global Arts groups' visit to Governor's Island  the beautiful lighting of the City inspired me to request the group to gather for a group shot.  They did a great job of assembling with only a few partially hidden, as they could not hear my suggestions and was a brief few minutes.
Tip--If you are in a group situation and are even partially behind another person, try to move do that you can fully see the photographer.


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How to be Photographed in a Group: 

PART I: Being part of Group photographs for Publications  and online media

  “It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.”

— Alfred Eisenstaedt

There may be a time when You may be asked to be part of a group photo for a publication or social media.

Here are a few examples and a few tips on how to come across the best you can and have fun in the process!

Human resource officers who won a contest are featured in a group photo shoot for a trade magazine in Grand Central Station NYC.

This photo shoot was taken using portable studio lighting and  a step ladder,  with my Nikon D3 camera. Everyone looks happy and attractive. Key points all dressed comfortable in solid colors, no distracting patterns or logos and listened to my directions to have fun and project like winners! Dress For Success-Have Fun-Listen to the photographer :)
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Heineken Executives show product within a small group shot for a Beverage Magazine.
Pick clean, non-distracting  yet interesting background. Again this photo was taken with portable studio lighting (Norman and Dyna-lites) with D3 and step ladder to get the execs in the most even and dynamic arrangements.  Be willing Explore different Angles with your photographer!

Photojournalistic/Slice of life Commercial shoot: A family birthday party for Grandma. Pick Wardrobe: cheerful and muted. Capturing real moments within a studio type setting. The participants commited to the joy and reality of the party. Again portable studio lighting in a real environment, going for a "Norman Rockwell" Feel.   Tip: when being photographed in a real or simulated real location engaging with others will create a non-self conscious  and slice of life feel, fly on the wall image.

Susan Farley for the New York Times
While photographing The Guardian Angels in Yonkers, NY for the NY Times photographed this group shot after a few hours of following the guys on their rounds. The only set up shot was this one taken during a break and I wanted to include the group together in an "environmental" portrait on the streets.  Shot image using available daylight with a small blast of fill flash.   My favorite images are environmental portraits-combining subjects with the world they work and live in. Tip: look for interesting environments which add to the group portrait

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917-224-1168  susan@susanfarley.com