From shooting formal family portraits in a dimly lit church to capturing lively candids at a bustling reception, this valuable reference presents 100 tips for handling the process from start to finish—choosing the best equipment, capturing the best moments on film, and enhancing and presenting them afterwards. Numerous professionals offer valuable advice for digital wedding photography, giving technical guidance on lighting, exposure and metering, and color management, as well as ideas for scouting locations, dealing with nervous brides, and photographing large groups. Ample time is spent on the many aspects of posing and lighting—for both formal and informal situations—with an eye toward enhancing the efficiency of the shoot and the natural beauty of the resulting images.

Artwork from 30 of the industry's top photographers is used to highlight both clear-cut shooting strategies and colorful, cutting-edge approaches to family portraiture in this handbook intended for idea gathering and inspiration. Advice on focal length, perspective, and maximizing the potential of digital equipment highlights the technical aspects of family portraiture while group posing strategies demonstrate how best to flatter each subject and convey a sense of family unity. A lengthy discussion of lighting—the backbone of portraiture—and the manipulation of shadows and highlights instructs photographers on how to create mood and interest in a variety of lighting scenarios, both indoors and out. Specifics on adjusting body lines, colors, and shapes, working with young children, and creating a comfortable atmosphere ensure that the photographer captures the unique personality of each family with dynamic and attractive images.

Packed with practical techniques that both inform and inspire, this professional guidebook to photographing babies, small children, and teenagers presents new strategies to maximize client cooperation and ensure smooth sessions. The entire child-based photographic process is addressed, including proper equipment selection, physical and behavioral controls for young subjects, working with black-and-white exposures, assessing raw versus JPEG modes, and evaluating digital exposures by determining over- and underexposure metering. Chapters devoted to mastering studio lighting—from direct and diffused lighting tactics to employing the use of umbrellas and softboxes—as well as working in sunlight and twilight environments is also featured.