How to Get the Best Large Group Photos

Capturing Picture-Perfect Group Photos at Any Event

Whether it’s a wedding, Mitzvah, milestone birthday, or corporate gathering, large group photos are an essential part of any event. They bring together family, friends, and loved ones in a single frame, capturing connections, shared moments and the joy of the celebration. However, organizing a big group for a seamless, natural-looking photo can be challenging. From coordinating poses to keeping everyone engaged, a little planning goes a long wat to ensure stress-free, stunning group shots. This guide shares practical tips to help you get the best large group photos with an eye toward making sure everyone looks their best and enjoys the process.

01. Plan Ahead

Talk to your event coordinator, venue manager, photographer, and family members before the event day to determine the location and time for the photo. Advise your guests in advance as well so they can dress appropriately and be ready on time. Give a reminder of the group photo a day or two before the event. This will ensure everyone knows where to be and when. 

Your special event will be filled with family, friends, and love. A great way to capture the memories of this day is with a large group photo. However, getting everyone organized and looking their best can be a challenge. Here are 10 tips for how to get the best large group photo at your next wedding, mitzvah, family reunion, birthday party, or multi-generational portrait session.

02. Pin Down Group Size

Once your RSVPs are received, share your final group size with your photographer. Remember that large groups take more time than small groups. Two groups of 10, for example, are easier to accommodate than one 20-person group. Groups with fewer than 12 people work the best.

03. Choose Your Location

Look for an area with good lighting and plenty of space for everyone to stand or sit comfortably. Make sure the light is even, not dappled, and behind your group to prevent squinting in the photos.

For guests with mobility challenges, make sure the ground is level and accessible. Check outdoor spots for the watering schedule, soggy flooded spots, holes, and anything else that may trip attendees up or damage their shoes.

Also, scope out the venue for balconies, steps, or risers that make seeing everyone in the photo easier. Shooting down from a balcony makes a great photo. Staggering guests on steps or risers also maximize the visibility of everyone’s face in a photo.

Some venues include a separate area nearby with a natural element such as a water feature to provide a beautiful and unique backdrop. This makes your group photos stand out from the other events of the day but still feel cohesive with the overall look of the venue.

04. Determine the Timing

Save time by selecting a space in proximity to your event vs driving to another location. The best way to ensure you capture everyone in your party is to make the process convenient. 

For weddings, this is typically immediately after the ceremony and before the family photos. 

While some DJs offer to do an everyone photo during the reception, the venue space and the timing aren’t conducive for getting everyone together. Guests sometimes feel inconvenienced if they’ve already settled into their seating arrangements. Also, the layout, lighting limitations, and vantage issues sometimes limit or even prevent taking a large group shot.

For multi-generational photos, photographing small family groups first helps make up for any delinquent arrivals. As they say, “timing is everything,” so use the time wisely and make the group photo the last.

05. Designate a Point Person

Appoint one family member or have your event planner gather everyone for the photo and keep things organized. Ideally, this is someone responsible and outgoing with a commanding presence. A clear and persuasive voice is a bonus. Finally, this person should know the parties required in the group photo and be excited about keeping the day’s events on track. 

06. Leverage Experience

As mentioned, you will want to let your photographer know that you would like a large group photo in order to bring the correct gear for a quality image. They may bring a tripod to help keep the camera steady and ensure a sharp, clear photo. Other gear may include a step ladder, special lenses, and filters.

Your photographer will serve as the director of the scene. Similar to movie directors, they will guide people into positions that create a pleasing composition. Additionally, they will arrange people strategically. Often they will position taller people in the back and shorter people in the front to make sure everyone’s faces are visible

07. Keep Things Simple

The phrase “less is more” applies to large group photos. Too many props or distractions overcomplicate the shot. Instead, keep the focus on the group vs extra things that just take up space. You want to be able to identify the people, not spend time looking for them as in a “Where’s Waldo” book.

08. Budget Enough Time

As mentioned, you will want to let your photographer know that you would like a large group photo in order to bring the correct gear for a quality image. They may bring a tripod to help keep the camera steady and ensure a sharp, clear photo. Other gear may include a step ladder, special lenses, and filters.

09. Explore Editing Options

Be sure to ask the photographer about their group photo editing process. Confirm whether there would be any additional fees for fixing closed eyes or swapping heads in photos. And, if someone is not present at the event and you would like to add them to the photo, ask the photographer for an estimate from a pro-retoucher who specializes in this advanced type of editing.

10. Share and Enjoy

By following these tips, your large group photo may end up being your favorite photo of the day. Be sure to share your picture on your social channels, potentially print and display it in your home, or even present it as a gift to your family. Most importantly, take time after your event to enjoy the memories that you’ve captured.