Family portraits made easy with Canon

Family portraits have been among the most popular motifs since the early days of photography. These pictures of fond memories and shared moments in time adorn many desks, the walls at home or, today, the screens of computers and smartphones. As phones have become constant companions with ever more powerful camera systems, many people use them for family portraits as well as snapshots. However, good compact cameras or digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) such as those from Canon are still the better choice. Read on to find out where the advantages lie and how you can best use a Canon for family portraits.

Always use a camera for unique portrait photography

There are no calls or messages to distract you from your photography. Spontaneous snapshots with your cell phone can result in very entertaining pictures, but for successful portraits of the children or the whole family, it's worth investing a little more effort and time - just like in a real photo shoot. A real camera still gives you more detailed control over the image than a smartphone. There are also the advantages of larger image sensors or special lenses for every type of photography. Fixed focal length lenses are particularly suitable for family portraits. They are very fast with a high background blur that emphasizes the focus on the people in your portraits.

The right equipment for portrait photography

The EOS R6 from Canon is a suitable camera for family portraits, for example. It has a 20-megapixel full-format sensor that impresses with its high dynamic range even in low light. You can create better lighting conditions with a Speedlite. This naturally has various automatic flash modes, but can also be individually adjusted. It can prioritize faces when taking flash pictures or create a balanced composition of flash and ambient light in the entire image area. With a reflector umbrella or softbox, you can further improve the illumination, create a soft light and reduce unwanted shadows. Finally, a tripod should not be missing. Use it to first set the scene for your family portrait in the camera lens, then activate the self-timer and finally step into the picture. Finally, all you need to store or transport your camera, lenses and other equipment neatly and well protected is the right photo bag.

In focus: finding a suitable lens for a Canon and family portraits

What distinguishes Canon cameras and lenses for portrait photography? It's not just for these shots that Canon cameras can impress with their good ergonomics and intuitive, comfortable design. There is also a large selection of high-quality lenses for portrait photography, which are among the best on the market and offer very good value for money - like these:

Standard portrait lens Canon RF 50 mm F1.2L USM

With an aperture of 1:1.2, this lens captures a subject in razor-sharp focus in low-light and portrait photography, even in front of an unsteady background. Its speed allows short exposure times even in low light. The lens captures the maximum amount of ambient light, creating a natural atmosphere in every photo.

Standard hybrid portrait lens Canon RF 50 mm F1.4L VCM

In addition to portrait photography, you can also use this lens very well for video recordings thanks to its silent aperture adjustment. As with the standard portrait lens, the focal length of 50 mm creates a natural perspective, very similar to the viewing angle of the human eye. This focal length is well suited for three-quarter or full-body portraits. The hybrid lens here has slightly more light intensity and therefore helps to achieve first-class image quality, especially in dynamic lighting conditions.

For facial portraits, macro shots and more: Canon RF 35 mm F1.9 Macro IS STM

With a macro image scale of 1:2, this lens captures even the smallest details of a face or the textures of objects at close range. At the same time, you will find a lens all-rounder here that you can use just as well for street photography and landscape shots when traveling - even in low light.

The most versatile portrait lens: Canon RF 85 mm F 1.2L USM

Close-up or full-body shots: The Canon RF 85 mm F 1.2L USM was developed as an all-rounder by Canon for family portraits. Its lens technology combines sharpness with a soft focus. It captures details of a face such as the eyelashes sharply, while other details in the surroundings such as wrinkles or pores are not emphasized. Portraits taken with this lens do not require lengthy post-processing with photo software or filters, but are given the perfect look as soon as they are taken.

Even more tips for your family portraits

#1 Capture special occasions

Family routines at holidays such as Christmas or Easter become some of the best memories over time. Portrait photography captures them with all their emotions and allows these moments to be relived decades later and even for generations to come.

#2 Take photos with children early in the day

The morning hours are particularly suitable for family portraits with children. Here, the little ones are well-rested and have hopefully had a good breakfast. Later on, they are usually less keen to pose for an "official" family photo. During the course of the day, you can capture more relaxed, spontaneous moments. Don't wait for the perfect picture, but take as many photos as possible and feel free to experiment with different camera settings or lenses. Also, literally get down to eye level with the children and get their perspective on the world. At the end of the day or a vacation, you will have a large collection of photos in which you are sure to find some very good shots for a photo book or a print to give as a gift.

#3 Get everyone in front of the camera

For a portrait of the whole family, use the self-timer. Otherwise, the shots are usually taken by a "family photographer" - the father or mother. Pass the camera around more often so that everyone appears in the pictures at some point. Your children are creative by nature, so they will quickly enjoy taking photos themselves and may discover some compositions or perspectives that you would never have thought of.

#4 Capture the everyday too

Birthdays or Christmas parties, first day at school and much more are particularly memorable moments in family life. However, portrait photography can also capture impressive images in everyday life, in which the people photographed appear completely natural because there is no special frame with its conventions.

#5 Work with natural light

Flash or softbox help to optimize the lighting conditions of a portrait and other shots, but often these aids are not even necessary. A fast lens alone is usually sufficient. Otherwise, pay attention to the natural light sources around your subject. Indoors, windows or doors alone can illuminate a portrait well. Outside, shady areas tend to provide even, soft light on the faces. For dramatic or atmospheric portrait photography, sunrise and sunset or a low winter sun are suitable.

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