Last week, I started watching The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem on Netflix (yes, I have a thing for foreign TV shows, especially those from Israel). I am not usually drawn to melodramas, but this one, it’s a keeper. It’s a wonderfully woven story that combines (most accurate) history with generational family drama. It’s spicy.

But this blog isn’t a story about that story; this is about the cover art. The great group photo. The main promotional image for this show is a family portrait containing each and every main character. It’s gorgeously posed, containing different heights and layers that make it just as visually interesting as iconic (a la Vanity Fair). 

This sort of epic family portrait isn’t just limited ritzy magazine covers or promos for TV shows. You, too, can have this sort of image with your family formals or wedding party portraits at your wedding as well. How do you get great group photos? Well…

1. RENT A COOL COUCH OR A FEW CLASSIC CHAIRS. The easiest way to add visual interest and a classic touch to group photos is to add “layers” of height. Some people sit, some people lean, other people stand. Adding that visual interest instantly elevates a photo, so consider bringing in a piece of vintage furniture or something similar to create this concept.
2. INTERCONNECT. Another way to create an iconic group shot is by interconnecting with others in the image in a variety of ways. I stress “variety of ways” as if everyone does the same thing, it will look way more comical than classic.Easy ways to interconnect are back-to-back, hands on shoulders, hands on elbows, and holding hands. Just a little gesture can go a long way in the quality of a photo (as a photographer, one of my favorite things to do is interpret your personalities and find new, unique ways for you to interact with one another. As a storyteller, I live for that sort of thing).
3. BRING IN ALL THE VARIABLES. This is why photographers don’t recommend being matchy-matchy, especially for family sessions. Different textures add so much depth to an image. This doesn’t just apply to clothing, of course. A velvet couch in a field, bright chairs in a rich space…it all goes so far in making your image classic.

Which of these three are you going to try your next group photo?

Kayla Lee is a Minnesota-based wedding and elopement photographer. She provides services to elegant, authentic, sentimental couples who not only choose their own adventures, but also live them to the fullest! See more about the KLP Wedding Experience!

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