How To Set Up Group Shots

Many of the rules for engaging portraits apply to group shots, too, so keep in mind everything that you've learned so far while preparing for this assignment. The first challenge is to arrange the group into a decent composition. If you've ever participated in a wedding, you know this drill. Avoid, if possible, having all of the heads in a straight line. This creates a static composition. One of the subjects must be positioned on the ground, avoiding the straight-line composition. Also resist the urge to center all of the subjects in the middle of the frame. You can create a little compositional dynamism by working the Rule of thirds.

Remind everyone in the shot that they need to have a clear view of the camera. If they can't see the camera, then the camera won't be able to see them. Next, position people as close together as possible. Group-shot participants tend to stand too far apart. That might look OK in real life, but the camera accentuates the distance between people and the result looks awkward. Plus, you can't afford to have the shot span the width of a football field, or you'll never see people's faces unless you enlarge the image to poster size. Remember to take lots of shots—for large groups, a minimum of five frames for each composition. This gives you a chance to overcome blinking eyes, sudden head turns, bad smiles, and unexpected gusts of wind ruining your pictures.

Before pressing the shutter button, quickly scan the group and look for little annoyances that will drive you crazy later: crooked ties, sloppy hair, and turned-up collars will make you insane during postproduction.

Finally, work quickly. You're not John Ford making the great American epic, so don't act like you are. Keep things moving for the sake of your subjects. (And for your own tired feet!)