| There are two types of family or group | | | | independence - an early teenager, or someone |
| photographs out there. There are orchestrated | | | | who does not feel part of the group and its |
| ones, where people are placed, then directed to | | | | values. Their body language tells the rest of the |
| do this and that. Then there are the snapshots of | | | | story. A strong bold stance looking at the camera |
| the moment, loosely gathered friends and family | | | | is freshly minted confidence, looking to carve out |
| for the photo. It is the last collection of images | | | | their own space in the world. A soft slouch slightly |
| that are so fascinating. All sorts of body language | | | | turned away but looking back at the group is |
| and relationships show up. | | | | someone feeling like an outsider who desperately |
| Often when I do a family group I will tell them to | | | | wants in. |
| wander over to the middle of the set and face | | | | When you see small children gathering behind a |
| me. Without direction, I get to see them fit | | | | parent or older sibling, they see that person as |
| naturally as a family. It is always interesting, plus a | | | | their defender, protector. You can also find |
| great start to building an image they can relate to. | | | | people, usually children, mirroring the pose of |
| Sometimes you will see images of the group just | | | | another. You have found their hero, the person |
| piled together. They like contact, and they are | | | | they want to be like. You can find this in adults |
| usually laughing. It does not matter if they are | | | | too; they strike poses that are similar to famous |
| casually or formally dressed. They seem to fit | | | | people they admire and want to be like, often |
| together like a perfect puzzle. This is a family | | | | without realizing it. |
| totally at ease with each other. They confide in | | | | As you can see, how people stand and who they |
| each other, know the other's secrets, and love | | | | stand beside or away from tells a lot. Try looking |
| them anyway. | | | | at some of your old family snaps for the hidden |
| In some images you will see a child standing a bit | | | | story nestled there. |
| apart. This is often a child looking to express | | | | |