Hiring a Photographer for your Family Reunion

Family Reunion Portraits

Summer is upon us, school will be out in the next few weeks.  People are getting ready for their annual vacations. 

 

 

 

Occasionally someone will ask us to shoot a family reunion.  Everyone loves the old black and white images of the 1920s and 30s of their relatives, and most would like something to pass down to future generations. 

 

 Taking pictures at a family reunion takes a special kind of finesse.  Needless to say, families are all as different as they are the same. 

First the basics.  Pictures earlier in the day are best, for multiple reasons.  Children haven’t gotten dirty, or sunburned, no one has spilled their food or drink.  I hate to say it, but old family squabbles also haven’t had time to rear their ugly heads.  For shady locations it won’t matter as much, but for photos out in the open, before 10 or after 2 is better, if that fits within your timeframe.

 

Various groupings of family members can be very nice to have for the future.  You can consider having an all girls picture, and all boys picture, an all kids picture etc.  The current scrapbooking trend encourages these types of family groupings.

 

Frequently families will decide on the spot that they’d like additional photos of their individual family unit.  This is a good thing to discuss with the photographer before the day of the reunion.  If the photographer has a shoot scheduled after yours, they may not be able to stay and take additional pictures.  If they cannot, you can mention that to family members prior to the reunion so they are aware that the photographer is on a set schedule.  If the photographer is willing and able to stay, you can also mention that to your extended family in advance.  Usually the photographer will waive the additional sitting fees in cases like these.

 

Make sure you discuss appointment fees and print prices with the photographer prior to the event.  Some photographers charge extra if you have more than a set number of people, so you will want to have that covered beforehand.  You’ll also want to discuss the price of reprints.  Regularly a family member, perhaps even someone who couldn’t attend the reunion, will ask for additional photos later.  You’ll be glad you have a couple of extras.

 

Clare Troutman

 

 

Clare Troutman

Troutman Photograpy

503.559.3106

www.troutmanphoto.com