There are so few times before a big wedding where extended family comes from all over to celebrate. A bar or bat mitzvah is one of these times! You definitely want to be sure to capture formal portraits of extended family at the event, and I always work with my clients to figure out a plan that gives us the best options to get these done in the most beautiful, and efficient, way possible. After doing this for so long, here are some considerations to ensure that these images come out amazing.
Who do you want in these pictures?
It can be tricky to decide how many family members to allow in the formal portrait session, especially if your family is particularly large. Some families opt for larger group photos in lieu of lots of smaller combinations. Keep in mind that larger families will need more time to strike a perfect pose, so there should be additional time added to the schedule for this. Other times, there are family dynamics to consider including girlfriends or boyfriends and blended families. I always err on the side of delivering more images during this time. It takes very little time for me to pose a group with someone’s significant other, and then quickly take another shot without that person. Because usually, a person cannot just be ‘photoshopped’ out.
Keep in mind that you want to avoid having so many family members in the photo that it is hard to distinguish one person from the next. And for the smaller combinations, keeping an eye posing for a person’s body type is much appreciated. I’m a mitzvah specialist when it comes to photography, and this includes posing your groups with both speed and an eye to how it will photograph.
There is definitely a ‘knack’ to posing. You want the large group to look beautiful, not like everyone was just thrown together.
I always ask clients to provide me with a detailed list of the various combinations desired during the family formal time. Once I know the number of images and the size of the group, I can then advise on how long we will need, where to do them, and how best to structure this time so that the images are the most beautiful in the shortest amount of time possible.
Location
Once you’ve established the ‘who’, then we can address the ‘where’. There are so many options, but some will be better suited to your mix of family and ease of planning prior to the party. Here are a few suggestions:
– If you have lots of family coming in from out of town, one option is to utilize the hotel space for formal portraits. Your final decision will depend on your personal preference and how formal each of these spaces is…I have photographed in many hotel lobbies so I can also send examples.
Ballrooms and grand lobbies are all acceptable and the hotel is typically very accommodating.
– The ballroom of your reception is also an option. This works especially well if the ballroom is separate from your cocktail hour space, or if your event is in the cooler months where outdoors might not be an option. Coordination between the event venue staff would be required to ensure that part of the space was finished prior to the start of pictures. This also creates an opportunity to show off your decor.
The event space is also fun when it is non-traditional – such as a field house!
– Depending on the area you are in and the time of year, it may be possible to take your formals outdoors. Pictures that are taken in natural light will have a totally different feel from those taken indoors. Be sure to have a rain option, and also pay attention to any restrictions your venue might have if you are using outdoor space on their property. Many golf courses will not allow you to interrupt play or stand on the carefully manicured greens. Additionally, if the club you are using caters to their members during your event, some areas may be off limits.
Family formal options outdoors.
Timing
Finally, the ‘when’. Some people struggle when trying to decide if bar/bat mitzvah formals should be taken before or during cocktail hour. Depending on the timing of your service in the morning and your party afterwards, this may not be much of a decision at all. If you are going straight from service/kiddush luncheon to the party, we will need to work quickly to amass the family once at the site to get the pictures completed. Sometimes, this results in a small formal shot list, because no one likes missing the cocktail hour and greeting the guests.
If the party is in the evening, then prior to cocktail hour is ideal. Again, keeping the list of combinations manageable will help in minimizing the duration of the formal portraits. Also, making sure there is enough time to be creative can be key…I only need a few minutes to achieve some magical portraits that will last a lifetime:
While these images are the ones everyone dreads doing, they are without a doubt some of the most frequently printed! With proper planning and a weather contingency plan if need be, I work hand in hand with my clients to ensure that the family formals are as fun as they can be, while beautiful once completed.
