Table of Contents
Introduction
When taking a picture with a family member, a moment will be created that will be cherished forever. When the photo being taken is a family portrait, a key component in capturing the moment is finding a good perch for a family photo. A good perch provides structure and comfort, enhancing the picture’s overall style, helping everyone look their best, and keeping the atmosphere warm and relaxed. This guide will cover 10 ways to use a perch for a family photo and tips to keep your portraits looking their best.
Why Taking Family Photos at the Right Place is Important
A perch for a family photo is more than just a seat that makes your family look nice and completes the picture. The right perch makes good balance and makes everyone look good together without overly stretching anyone. Indoors and outdoors, a perch can turn a basic image into one that looks really good.
A perch provides good:
- Alignment and good posture
- Natural spacing
- Posing
- Seating, especially for the older folks and kids
The Top 10 Perches for Family Photographs that Pop
3.1 Wooden Bench
A wooden bench is a classic. It offers good stability, whether surrounded by nature or in the park. It works best for small or medium families.
3.2 Outdoor Tree Stump
An outdoor tree stump adds a more organic feel to nature. It is best for smaller families, such as kids and couples. It is perfect in the forest or a wooded area. Using a tree stump as a perch for a family photo brings natural charm to your images.
3.3 Comfortable Window Seat
Family photos taken indoors include a window seat. A seat makes a picture feel inviting, and it helps the natural sunlight make the faces in the image look more pronounced. Window seats are great for winter or rainy day family photos. A window seat works perfectly as a perch for a family photo.
3.4 Rustic Fence
A strong fence offers families many options. Families can sit on the wall, lean on it, or drape their arms over it. They can position themselves in many ways. This adds a lot of variety to a photo. A rustic fence can be used as a perch for a family photo.
3.5 Garden Swing
A swing adds motion to a photo. It gives a photo a very unique look. It adds a lot of fun to the scene. People love sitting on swings, so it makes them smile more. Swings are a playful perch for a family photo.
3.6 Indoor Sofa or Armchair
Sofas and recliner chairs are perfect for portraits. They help people to sit closer together so a photo feels more intimate. They also encourage people to sit closer together. Sofas make excellent perches for a family photo.
3.7 Picnic Blankets
A picnic blanket may not be the usual seat, but it makes for a great informal option for a family to sit on. It’s great for families, especially when they are big and/or include different generations. Families often interact naturally when using picnic blankets. A picnic blanket can be an ideal perch for a family photo.
3.8 Boulder or Rock
A rock or boulder provides a unique outdoor perch. It fits nicely into a natural setting and gives photographers opportunities to play around with angles and levels. A boulder works beautifully as a perch for a family photo.
3.9 Porch Steps
Steps are functional and versatile. They provide a place for staggered seating arrangements and simplify posing for multi-generational families, since each step readily accommodates an adult. Porch steps are practical perches for a family photo.
3.10 Creative DIY Ideas for Perches
Get creative! Statement perches can be made from barrels, crates, or even custom benches. DIY projects can fit your family’s unique personality and the photoshoot’s theme. DIY perches are a fun way to create a unique perch for a family photo.
Best Ways to Pose on a Perch
- Promote relaxed, natural postures with a slight lean, shoulders angled, and a comfortable back.
- Use different heights: Add interest to the composition by seating kids on a step higher or lower than the adults.
- Use a few props: Soft blankets, a bunch of flowers, or a favorite toy can help children feel comfortable.
- Change It Up: For different looks, swap the order of the perch occupants during the session.
Family Portraits with Focus on Lighting and Timing
When it comes to family photos, lighting is the number one factor to consider. Natural light is ideal, especially when it’s soft and comes in during the early morning or late afternoon. This helps warm the photos without casting any harsh shadows. If there is a perch for a family photo indoors, keep it near a window for natural light. However, avoid direct sunlight, as it can lead to squinting and unflattering shadows.
Clothes and Choosing Colors that Fit
It’s best when the attire is coordinated and matches the base of the setting. Gentle, neutral colors work well with some bright colors on top that pop. Faces are the main distractors; avoid overly busy patterns, as they will shift the focus.
Gorgeous Example of Perch Photos
- The Outdoor Bench: A family of five on a weathered park bench, with the parents smiling and leaning.
- Window Seat Intimacy: A mother with her two smiling kids on a soft window seat.
- Picnic Blanket Play: A multi-generational family with the grandparents on a blanket, centered to foster warmth and connection.
These photos, taken from a perch for a family photo, tell a story, along with their great composition.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Perch
- Selecting wobbly or difficult seating
- Too many people on a perch
- Not considering one’s surroundings
- Selecting perches that do not match the decor or one’s clothing
How to Make the Perch Safe and Comfortable
- Test stability before placing young children or elderly family members
- Use blankets and cushions to add padding
- Inspect perches for dirt and bugs if they are being used outdoors
- Provide adequate space to avoid collisions
Conclusion
Choosing a perch for a family photo is more involved than many people think. Comfortable and aesthetically pleasing perches help shape the picture. Benches or crafty DIY perches can help you achieve your vision for the picture. Balancing your choice of perch with the family’s brings more depth to an otherwise simple photo. These tips can help achieve a family portrait that is natural, warm, and in focus, whether it is taken indoors or outdoors.
