Tough picture groups

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I apologize if this is in the wrong place ~ please feel free to move . .

We are going down in the fall with a very large group of family and 1/2 of them are terrible picture takers. You know, the type that won't look at the camera, look like they are in some sort of pain, stare off into space and generally ruin a good photo op.

Is there any tips out there that might help us achieve at least ONE good group photo? Or am I destined to photoshopping them? I plan on taking tonnes of pictures with Photopass, but after seeing a number of pictures from their last trip ~ I despair!!!!

Help . . . . .

[Disney Hungarian]

Most people are uncomfortable in front of a camera. Try to lighten the mood. tell a joke or say something totally out of place and snap a pict. Then take a few more in rapid succession. That is if you are taking the picture. If you are getting the Photopass photog to take it: explain to them the probs you have been having with group photos. They may have a few tricks up their sleve to pull off a good shot

[Magic Smiles]

OMGosh, that is my DH. Then he complains that DS and I are more photogenic than him. Maybe if he paid attention, smiled and looked at the camera now and then, he too would be 'more photogenic' DS and DH also really dislike photopass photographers So I spend much time trying to get a good group shot and there are only 3 of us.
Good Luck

[Altair]

Take mostly candid shots instead. A few posed shots are fine, but candid ones are more interesting and natural.

[BigRedDad]

My recommendation is to set the tone of the trip up front. Do the photo op right at the beginning of each day. Tell them that they don't get to do anything until the picture is done and done right.


I for one cannot stand taking group pictures. I do it out of courtesy for the others. I know people that go on vacation to spend 75% of the time posing for pictures. Who wants that?

If you tell them that the group photo is the first thing to be done for the day, once it is done in 5 minutes, the rest of the day is to enjoy.

[Mickey'sGirl]

Take mostly candid shots instead. A few posed shots are fine, but candid ones are more interesting and natural.

I agree!

[Buttercup]

As a photographer, there's always one or two "grumpy" looking people in large group shots, no matter where I go! I've found that some people are really uncomfortable with their smiles/teeth/facial expressions and so they think they look better stone-faced - that's why they are so difficult to coax a smile out of.
I totally agree with the candid shots instead of group "posed" shots. You're more likely to capture their real happy faces when they don't realize you're taking their picture.
One really simple trick to get children (and adults) to look towards to the camera that I do is once I've got everybody where I want them, I make the loudest, high-pitched most goofy sounding, and quite unexpected "BOOGA-LOOGA-LOOGA-LOO!!!!!" sound you can imagine! As much as I look like an idiot doing it, it gets EVERYONE's attention in the picture and if I rapid-fire a bunch of shots in a row, you'll see the adults even cracking a smile at my silliness. Either that, or I say "Hey, Bob, if you don't start smiling I'm gonna have to take off my clothes and do jumping jacks to get you to laugh!!!" and that usually makes people giggle. Whatever it takes I guess!!

[EeyoresBestFriend]

Thanks for the help, everyone.

I hadn't thought of separating them up ~ and I will trust the photopass folks to work some of their "magic" to the best of their abilities.

Here goes nuthin!!!