Tammy photographed mom Kate, sister Alex, and brother Austin in her studio under unusual circumstances: Alex was undergoing cancer treatment and had lost her hair. Mom and Alex chose some dresses and coordinating headbands for the session and arrived at Tammy’s studio ready to shine. The results show the family’s close bond.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 24–70mm f/2.8 lens. Exposure: 1/125 second and f/4.5 at ISO 1000. Bounced flash.
Exposure: 1/60 second at f/5 and ISO 1000. Flash fill.
Kate was posed lying on a mattress, and her two kids piled on top of her. It’s a different sort of pose that some clients love—and children usually enjoy a game of dog pile.
Next, the threesome did two other group variations. Both portraits show the trio upright, with their faces positioned close and forming a triangle. The family’s affection for one another is evident in their close, relaxed posing. To wrap up the session, Tammy photographed Alex and Austin individually.
Most of the images Tammy shot during this family’s session were made against a white backdrop. When there is nothing in the frame that competes for the viewer’s attention, the focus falls squarely on the subjects. For this reason, Tammy often uses white or black backdrops for her studio sessions.
When working on location, you will show your subjects in their environment. In such cases, it’s a good idea to scan the frame for distracting elements. No matter your shooting environment, your subjects should be the star of the image.
Exposure: 1/125 second and f/4.5 at ISO 1000. Natural light only.
