Scouting & Prepping For Group Pictures

We’ve discussed before in the Wedding Workshop series how important it is to scout and prep prior to shooting. This is best practice so that once you get your subjects in the location you want all you have to do is shoot and not worry about as many variables. Here are three things to keep in mind when prepping for your group portraits:

  1. Select your locations
  2. Communicate with the property
  3. Have a Plan B

Chapter One

  • 1.1 Wedding Workshop 7: Photographing Groups | Trailer
  • 1.2 Introduction: What Is Our Purpose & Our Goals In This Course?
  • 1.3 Pain Points For Group Portraiture
  • 1.4 Scouting & Prepping For Group Pictures
  • 1.5 Gear Guide For Group Portraits
  • 1.6 Assignment: Submit Your Best Group Portrait
  • 1.7 Chapter One Quiz

    • Chapter Two

  • 2.1 Being A Technical Artist vs. Being a Human Artist
  • 2.2 Presence & Charisma When Working With Groups
  • 2.3 Over vs. Under Communication
  • 2.4 Communication Supercut
  • 2.5 Assignment: What Communication Challenges Have You Faced?
  • 2.6 Chapter Two Quiz

    • Chapter Three

  • 3.1 Groups Equal All The Same Times Ten
  • 3.2 Foundation Posing
  • 3.3 Touchpoints
  • 3.4 Head Angle
  • 3.5 Overlap Vs. Spacing
  • 3.6 Mirroring Vs. Varied Hand Pose Placement
  • 3.7 One Setup, Multiple Expressions
  • 3.8 Visual Interest Guide
  • 3.9 Assignment: Spacing/Overlap In Group Posing
  • 3.10 Chapter Three Quiz

    • Chapter Four

  • 4.1 Symmetrical Posing: Pros Vs. Cons
  • 4.2 Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Symmetrical Posing
  • 4.3 Large Group Considerations
  • 4.4 Assignment: Large Group Portraits
  • 4.5 Chapter Four Quiz

    • Chapter Five

  • 5.1 Editorial Posing
  • 5.2 Simple Stey-By-Step Guide For Editorial Posing
  • 5.3 Large Group Editorial Considerations
  • 5.4 Assignment: Editorial Group Pose
  • 5.5 Chapter Five Quiz

    • Chapter Six

  • 6.1 Lighting Guides + Case Studies
  • 6.2 Stacking and Feathering for Even Light Coverage
  • 6.3 Single Light Feathering
  • 6.4 Overpower That Dappled Direct Garbage Sunlight
  • 6.5 Filling and Refining Natural Light, Part 1
  • 6.6 Filling and Refining Natural Light, Part 2
  • 6.7 Light Compositing for Effect and Large Groups
  • 6.8 Single Light Bounce for Large Groups
  • 6.9 Diffused Single Light for Large Groups
  • 6.10 Bounce to Refine Natural Light
  • 6.11 Makeshift Bounce without Ceiling Walls
  • 6.12 Assignment: Stacked or Single Light Feathering
  • 6.13 Chapter Six Quiz

    • Chapter Seven

  • 7.1 Journalism & Creativity - Forget the Technical & Look for the...
  • 7.2 Motion-Driven Concepts
  • 7.3 Tilt-Shift
  • 7.4 Using Depth And Layers
  • 7.5 The Collapse
  • 7.6 Wedding Party Cliches
  • 7.7 Assignment: Wedding Party Cliches
  • 7.8 Chapter Seven Quiz

    • Chapter Eight

  • 8.1 Constructive Critique For Group Portraits
  • 8.2 Assignment: Submit Group Portraits for Critique and Provide...

    • Chapter Nine

  • 9.1 General Post-Production Techniques For Group Portraiture
  • 9.2 Simple Light And Background Compositing
  • 9.3 Assignment: Create A Group Portrait Composite

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