Family Portrait Photography: Professional Techniques and Images (Paperback)

~ Helen T. Boursier (Author) "Family portraiture is one of the most overlooked areas of professional photography..." (more)
Key Phrases: slide proofs, family portraiture, portrait session, Roy Madearis, Randy Taylor, Marg Straw (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Family portraiture represents the greatest portion of many photographers' work, and if done well this type of commercial endeavor may be elevated to an art form, as evidenced by the many imaginative portraits in this book. All the photographs share a common theme of family members gathered together, but after that the similarity ends. Throughout, parents with children, couples, and extended families are situated in environments that uniquely reflect them: on a buckboard at the family ranch, during a walk on the beach, or framed by cherished family possessions. The text is equally compelling. Starting with the history of the genre, this book offers many helpful suggestions regarding equipment and business decisions as well as props, location, and lighting. Perhaps the most valuable advice has to do with developing people skills and an original photographic style. Boursier does an admirable job of convincing readers of the value of family portraits?through both her text and the many distinguished photographs selected to illustrate the book?and amateurs as well as professionals will appreciate her guide. Highly recommended.?Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This is a guide to motivating potential clients to come in for family portrait sessions and for taking the best possible family pictures. Preparing clients for session is an important step in ensuring that the portraits turn out successfully. This book details ways to do this by arranging locations, helping select appropriate clothing, and getting to know the names of the clients and the ages of their children. It is illustrated with more than a hundred photographs showing various lighting, posing, prop, and location options. A section on client presentation details options such as contract sheets, paper previews, slide proofs, video, and digital projection.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936262753
• ISBN-13: 978-0936262758
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #615,775 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Queen of Sales, October 26, 2000

By	Steve Bedell (Rochester, NH USA) - See all my reviews

I have this book in my collection. If you are serious about family portraiture, generally regarded as the most profitable segment of portrait photography, you should own this and any other book by Helen Boursier. She is absolutely the best when it comes to maximizing your income from portrait sessions. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because there is a great range in the quality of the portraits included. This is a very small investment that will both give you photographic ideas and increase your income. Steve Bedell, Master Photographer Contributing Columnist, SHUTTERBUG magazine

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, November 26, 1999

By A Customer

Although geared to the professional, the information is too vague. Too much emphasis on the artificial setting (old-time porch) and the beach. Also, the author seems to think all portraits lie in the medium format realm. I've learned much more about interesting ways to pose and light from wedding photography books.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Checked Out of Library, Buying From Amazon, February 2, 2004

By A Customer

I checked this book out of the public library and after reading it twice (the second time through taking notes) in the first day, I immediately came to Amazon to add it to my wish list. This book has some practical advice for not just how to set up the "natural look" poses that are popular today, but also has real advice on marketing your service as well. If you want to get started making money with portraits, this book is a great place to start. Four stars instead of five because the marketing section left me wanting more...