The Art of Family Portrait Photography

Traditionally, family portraits were taken with everyone standing or sitting in a uniform group, all looking straight at the camera. Many artistic photographers have changed all that. A couple may stare lovingly into each others eyes. Portraits of a family with a new baby may have all members looking at the baby. Dramatic effect can be accomplished by having the family members look in different directions and at different angles. Conventional family portrait photography featured the family grouped in the center of the frame but the artistic appearance of a family off-centered or asymmetrically arranged can add special dimension or depth to the image.