Summer in Utah can be quite toasty! The day we created these family portraits it was in the upper 90s. Fortunately, by 7pm it had cooled off and we had some lovely shade and some lovely light. We photographed at the American Fork Amphitheater. The park is landscaped and has some fun stonework. There were a number of photographers and other families there. We were able to find a place where we were out of other people’s way and they were out of ours. By the time we were finished, everyone was gone.
I brought my portable lighting kit and we picked the stairs for the photography. The stairs work great for large groups of people. This family unit was about 16 people. I’ve photographed some families in excess of 60 people! It can be fun sorting everyone.
It’s the parents with all the siblings
I take a bunch of photos of each group so I can swap faces, eyes, and bodies. This depends on how much people move and blink. And the key to a successful portrait is to make Mom look amazing. If mom looks awesome then everyone looks great and the photograph is perfect.
We photograph all the possible groupings during a family session. The whole group, mom & dad, grandkids, couples, and even individuals if there is time.
It’s grandma and grandpa’s portrait
It’s the grandchildren
And I thought it would be fun to use the stairs to help the shorter kids feel a bit taller. Maybe I should copyright this idea!
Tallest to shortest
Tallest to shortest
Sometimes we get a little bit of sunflare, woo hoo!
Family portrait backlit by the sun
Photos of mom and dad
Couple’s portrait
One of the family groupings ran home to change into more casual clothing. While they were gone we photographed some of the other family units and individual portraits of each of the children. It’s always important to get individual portraits of each child. We don’t always have time to photograph individual people… unless we plan for it.
Individual kids portraits
Individual kids portraits
Individual kids portraits
And if a kid makes a funny face… I’m on it! These can be the classic portraits for years to come.
I love the candid face making
This family unit ran home, changed clothes, and came back in 10 minutes!
It’s the whole family
