Family photos, Denver Botanic Garden

[Robin Usagani]

So after I did this:

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/professional-gallery/266917-family-photos-sh-t-load-snow.html

The mom's friend saw it on FB and wanted the same session at the same location. Almost identical except most of the snow on the branches melted already and it is about 20 degree warmer. The boy keeps making funny faces and the girl always attached to the dad. The worst part is that the girl was wearing a pair of crocs and they specifically told me that they wanted photos in the snow. I dont get it. Anyway, here it is. Please give me CC because I will use this on my blog.

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 

 

[Robin Usagani]

Thanks for the CCs everyone LMAO

 

[cgipson1]

well.. gosh, I just got home.. so I couldn't CC earlier!

I like them all... except I should let you know that in #4... the girl and boy are both OOF!! lol!!!




Seriously though... nice set!

 

[Chris R]

Good Job... I've always enjoyed your work. You seem to be one of the few that don't over process things which gives your work a nice timeless look.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Hey... thanks Chris!

from
Dad with Camera as well lol

 

[LuckySe7en]

I really like #4. Nice set of pictures. Veddy, veddy sharp

 

[MacHoot]

I like these a lot. This is a noob question but how do you control your depth of field. Mine is either blurred to be damned or none at all.

 

[jwbryson1]

Seriously though... nice set!

That's what HE said.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Use longer lens zoomed. If you use wide angle, you really have to be really close to the subject to make the background really blurred.

I like these a lot. This is a noob question but how do you control your depth of field. Mine is either blurred to be damned or none at all.

 

[thierry]

Another Great set here

 

[JMBriggs]

Ok, I'm still pretty new at portraiture... but! The only thing that is kinda redundant about the pictures as a SET is that the kids are always on the same side... You know what I mean/ Like they are either both on the left of each parent or both on the right... It just kinda stood out at me... That and I don't think the second one in 3 works... for one on my screen they both look oof and I feel it would have worked better if they had switched spots... Her being a big blurry blob in the front just looks.... odd? Anywhoo.... Now! I would love some advice! If you don't mind giving a bit.... Do you direct your subjects or just kinda wait for everything to come together? That question was a bit broad I guess... Obviously you had them all sit on the bench, or had both parents hold a kid... but do you say stuff like "I need you to bring your chin down" and that kind of direction? If so do you find it hard to portray what you want them to do? I have done a couple portrait sessions for friends and (maybe my friends are just dumb Lol) they never seem to understand what I am asking them to do... I will say "Ok, so now can you turn your body so it is at a 45 degree from the camera" and they just don't get it!!! Any advice? Besides get smarter friends Lol...

 

[mwcfarms]

Hope Robin doesn't mind me answering but when I'm posing people I demonstrate before we start the typical stance, body weight distribution and if we change it up I model it again! Just practice the posing at home or where ever.

 

[Robin Usagani]

For this session I pretty much felt defeated.. but I am happy how it turned out. I thought it was going to be worse. The girl ALWAYS want to be with daddy. Also do you see #10? That is how the little boy was. He keeps making ugly faces.

I dont really pose them. I pay more attention to where the kids should be and how their clothing look. But the main priority is the kid. If they are not cooperating, dont try very hard to pose them. Your main goal is to have the kids look at you. If you are lucky, you will get a good frame with everyone looking good. If you are not lucky, you may want to clone from different frame so everyone is looking. If you are really really not lucky, all frames are trash.

If the kids cooperate, then please do your best to pose everyone. There is really no recipe.. but always get the group shots first! Worry about the kid by them self later.

 

[MacHoot]

Use longer lens zoomed. If you use wide angle, you really have to be really close to the subject to make the background really blurred.

I like these a lot. This is a noob question but how do you control your depth of field. Mine is either blurred to be damned or none at all.

So longer zoom = clearer Bokeh?

 

[Robin Usagani]

Longer zoom = compression of the background. So an object that is certain distance behind the subject will be bigger with longer lens than wider lens. So a blurred object in the background appears blurrier because it is bigger.

Use longer lens zoomed. If you use wide angle, you really have to be really close to the subject to make the background really blurred.

I like these a lot. This is a noob question but how do you control your depth of field. Mine is either blurred to be damned or none at all.

So longer zoom = clearer Bokeh?