How to pose a family portrait

Question

I'm going to be taking a family portrait. There will be four people. Mom, Dad and a 7 year old boy and a 5 year old girl.

I want it on an all black background, with the family sitting on the floor.

White shirts (dresses) and Khakis. Very casual, bare feet etc...

How do you suggest I arrange them. I was thinking dad sitting with his legs out to the side, with an arm stretched out over a knee that's propped up, and the kids on either side, but, I don't know what to do with mom...

any suggestions?

Answer 1

Mom could mirror image Dad, but without knee up. Smaller child sits tucked in between them , taller stands behind creating a diamond pattern with their heads.

Answer 2

Dad kneeling in back, but not resting on his butt on his heels.  Mom kneeling to his side, resting her butt on her heels.  Kids in front of mom, boy sitting with knees bent and feet out front, pointed to one side, arms around his knees.  Girl in front of dad, legs folded beneat and behind her, dress covering her legs, hands in lap.

Dad can have his hands on daughter and mom's shoulder, fingers slightly apart, mom on son's shoulders.

Play around with it.  How about one of all of them jumping?

Answer 3

well, i think your idea would turn out really good. here are a couple arraignment ideas i have(just the arraignment not the actual picture):

http://www.helveyphotography.com/images/...

http://www.photographybyjulie.com.au/You...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...

http://www.karenarrowood.com/resources/_...

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Answer 4

First of all for a family portrait I would not use a black background.  Use something neutral.  I also would avoid the white shirts.  A family portrait should portray the closeness of the family.  You want Mom & Dad posed together and close with the children in front of them and the children posed close together..  When someone wants a family portrait they are not looking for artsy but just a good picture of the family.