More advice please

[shutterbugjo]

Hi All !!
Help....I am taking a photo for xmas card in my home.
Will be in front of an electric fireplace. My son in law is 6'3, daughter is 5'3 and granddaughter is 20 months, about 3' tall.
I have no idea how to position them in the photo Do's and don'ts of people position in photos.
Should I try to incorporate a "flame" ?? living room is only about 9' x9'.
Not sure what lens to use....flash or no flash, maybe try to use other lamps in the room and longer shutter speed ?? I have a add on flash Canon 430..
I posted earlier on this but now I have a ton more questions as the day grows near.

Thnx again
Jo

 

[sobolik]

First of all they might turn out lousy using the direction you are heading i.e. wanting to set up all the details. Instead I suggest that you allow the situation to present you with the photos. That way it won't look caned, stale, unnatuaral and lame. Here is an example of what I am saying. At a wedding everyone will automatically line up in the after ceremony pose line up mugshot type thing that is expected. I'll take a shot or two. I then tell them to on 3 make their best funny, goofy, ugly face. After a couple shots of these they are all relaxed, at ease and free to be themselves. I then get the shots that are real nice. You can do the same. Don't be so obsessed over the set up just let it all develop free and easy like. Yes offer guidance but don't over dominate it. It is quite possible to have a technically perfect photo that is lame, lame, lame. likewise a photo that is technically imperfect but is just awesome, awesome, awesome.