As September arrives today, we all know that Autumn is just around the corner. Fall is the perfect time to get the family together for a family portrait. The warm fall colors combined with the extended daylight still in effect, even a weekday afternoon could be a good time for a portrait to be made.
A couple of weeks ago, I got a headstart on my family portraits by photographing the Braze family out in Livermore. This is the second portrait of this family that I have created. The first was back in 2003. In 2003 the family dressed in all the same tones – this year they decided to go with a “color pallet”, dark, cool colors, with jeans. This creates a casual look and one that is quite a bit more comfortable for the family during the shoot. When photographing in the Autumn season, remember that the backgrounds are going to be browns, yellows and oranges. So dress so that you don’t blend into the background.
As we started, I always try to get a shot of a gray card to help me balance the color later in Lightroom or Photoshop. The family is never posed for this shot, so sometimes it yields an amusing look.
The oldest son is entering the military soon so Mom decided it would be a good time to get the family together once again for a family portrait. There are a some important times in a families’ life that are excellent times to get a family portrait created. The first time is when the babies can sit up on their own, next is when the youngest is about four years old. Four years old is by far the best time to photograph kids since they are rarely embarrassed by doing something silly but yet can take direction well.
The next most important time to make a family portrait is just before the kids are off to collage or military. Once the the kids leave the house it is very hard to get everyone together. The next time is when there are grandchildren. This is a great time to show all the generations and extended family. If you are thinking of getting the family together for a portrait – send me an email to make an appointment terry@imagelight.com of give me a call 510-538-6333
Here are a few from the Braze family shoot.
Here is the 2003 version of the family portrait.
And here is the 2010 version:






































by Terry
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