Lessons
Class Introduction
10:48 2What is Meaningful Lifestyle Family Photography?
15:37 3Settings for Shoots
10:50 4Light, Composition & Location
10:47 5Settings Q&A
08:54 6Why Connection is Important
15:11 7Connection Q&A
09:36 8Session Experience
10:43Marketing Strategy for Lifestyle Family Photography
09:34 10Family Preparation
14:11 11How to Get to Know Families Fast
12:22 12The Actual Shoot
08:10 13Considerations for a Photograph
11:43 14The Family Session Workflow
07:38 15Shoot: Start Standing
05:49 16Shoot: Money Shot & Siblings
05:08 17Shoot: Time to be Seated
06:41 18Shoot: Portrait of Each Child
02:09 19Shoot: Laying Down
04:25 20Shoot: Mom & Dad Alone with Child
06:50 21Shoot: Movement Poses & Everyone in The Frame
04:07 22Shoot: Parents Together & Mom Alone
04:40 23Additional Shoot Considerations
04:38 24Review Images from Shoot
07:17 25Shoot Q&A
08:23 26Pricing & Business Strategy
21:15 27My Editing Strategy
04:54 28How to Cull Images
03:44 29Outsourcing Post Production
12:53 30Image Gallery Delivery
08:42 31Pricing & Business Q&A
11:00 32Finalize The Client Experience
05:20Lesson Info
Shoot: Laying Down
So now, if you guys are up for it, we're gonna try some laying down poses. Does that sound good? (family talking) Okay, can I change my lens? Is that okay? So, I'm actually gonna, since we have time, sorry, I'm gonna change my lens to a wider angle lens so I can do this. This is the bag that I actually take to sessions. I'm super just easy backpack. No prob. So, I'm switching to by 35 and that's because it's gonna allow me to get them laying down here. Laying down shots are really fun because they're silly, but they're also just like a sweet moment. It's an opportunity to create something that's a little more intimate with the family. And I know this is a really hard floor, so sorry about that, but okay. So, dad, you're gonna start first, dad and mom. So, lay down with your head kinda like right here and lay like this. Facing this way? Yeah. Back. Okay, so this is one that a lot of people are like, how are you, like, is this awkward to tell your families hey, we're gonna lay do...
wn? It is, probably, but we do it anyway, and they end up loving it. So, put your hands behind your head. So, you're gonna snuggle right in next to him. Lay on his arm, kinda like you would if you were... I don't know. Like this? Sunday morning. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Perfect, just like that. Alright, ladies, come on over. I'm gonna jump on mommy. No, don't jump on her. (laughing) Okay, Anna, come on this other side and lay with daddy over there. So, lay next to him or on top of him? Lay next to him, kinda like how your mom is, and then Allie, you're gonna get on top like this. (groaning) Yeah, family sandwich, I like that. (mumbling) Okay. So, Trevor, turn your towards Marcie. (camera clicking) It's this one that I'm gonna have to do this. Okay. I'm trying not to fall. So, when I said I get in there with families, I meant it. (laughing) This is why I'm not wearing high heels. Okay. Don't look at me, guys, look at each other. Allie, look at me. But I can't... This is not normal 'cause I... (all talking) Oh, there, we got it. Good job. Look right at each other. (laughing) (camera clicking) Can you give daddy a kiss? Good job. Oh, yeah, good job, you guys. You guys killed it, perfect. Okay. Sorry. She said life's so hard. She said life's so hard. (laughing) Nice work, you guys. That's hard to do. (clapping) So, that's one of those poses that people are like, how do you do it? Well, that's how I do it. And they're like, how do you get that intimate? That's how I get that intimate. I just get in there (laughs) and they usually are totally cool with it. I don't know, we'll see what they say later, but... So, there it is, and sometimes they cry (laughing) and we still do it because they thought this was hilarious that she was like, what is happening? My brothers are all over me. But this is their... Look at the mom's face, and it was just so much fun and this is real life, so... So, this is a great time for a transition. If we had done all of those shots, and remember I said we might have transitions between standing and sitting, if we had done all of those shots in one spot, it's definitely time for a break for the kids and transitions are a good time for that. So, that's why I was talking about when choosing locations, urban locations are hard because there aren't as many places that you can go or opportunities for the family to really move around that much. We're not gonna transition right now, obviously, because we have nowhere to go, but we would have them walk, and what I do is constantly shoot through the transitions. So, I always say that (laughs) at family photo sessions I feel like I'm the sherpa because I don't... You know, mom usually brings a purse or sometimes they have a bag with things that they need like water, and I'll just throw my backpack on, throw mom's bag on, and just continue to photograph them because I love... I always get these great shots of them walking, transitioning, so you've gotta be ready. Look at his lip. He fell down.
Class Materials
Bonus Materials with Purchase
Ratings and Reviews
Armstrong Su
is super knowledgable, yet down-to-earth and relatable. I love how he explains the exact gear he uses but also describes ways to accomplish the same look using DIY and less expensive alternatives. The segment where he demos a live shoot in multiple, difficult lighting situations is worth the cost of the class alone! Bonus: He's super funny. He could probably double as a comedian on the side, but I digress. This class was informative, funny, and very practical for any photographer that wants to increase their profit and expand their business into the professional world. He gives all his prices and workflows so you can get up and running in 2 days! :) Awesome class overall, and it's a great sequel to his professional headshot class (which I also bought and loved.)
Sandra Kay Hayes
I am totally in tears watching this, and think that every person going into Photography should watch these. She is a great teacher, and helps us to understand our "why" so much better. I also LOVE that she helps one feel confident with the non-perfect, (or so called) shots, Thank you so much for giving me more confidence to shot what I love and not worry about "rules!!". Best class I've taken I will recommend her to every group I am in!!!
Julia Khris
Elena is a great presenter. Delivers information in a very fun and engaging way. This course would be good for a beginner photographer. She shares the basics, but unfortunately doesn't quite provide advice on the more tricky questions. She shares a lot about her current state of business (10 years in and making enough profit to afford hiring staff). This is great to know what to aim for, however, it would be more beneficial to hear more about HOW to get to this stage. The main idea that I took from this course is: outsource as many processes as you can. Elena doesn't have a very distinctive style (no offence, but there is a huge competition in the style and editing that she works with), I would love to hear her advice on how to win in such high competition, how to convince clients to choose you and pay higher price tag for an equal quality of work. This is a fairly inexpensive class, so I would recommend it to the beginners, but not to the more experienced photographers.