Tie Heartstrings By Working Together On Family Projects. These 3 DIY Projects Are Sure To Strengthen Family Bonds

Lighting

I bought something like this lighting kit for moviemaking but it has come in handy for family portraits and really makes the pictures turn out great!

The light kit I have comes with two large lights stands (which are also in the kit linked to above) and one smaller (not in the kit). The kit includes three "cool" light bulbs as well.

Usually, you will want to change the smaller stand to a warm light to add some warmth to the set. The lights come with a very durable carrying bag and a safe case for the bulbs.

Set Up

Set up the back drop frame and attach the backdrop.

If you have a lot of people in your picture, set the backdrop up the wide way so you have more room to place people. (The clamps come in handy for this.) 

If there are a few people, set it up the narrow way and lay the remainder of the backdrop on the floor closer to the camera. If possible, get feet in these shots. It will give it a more professional look.

Set the two large lights in between the camera and the backdrop. Their tops adjust so point them toward the center of the screen. The small light is for filling in any shadows. I encourage you to use a window to make a broad cast of light on one side of your set. 

If there is a light in the ceiling make sure that under people's eyes are not dark looking. Sometimes this is overlooked and it may be best to leave the ceiling light off. If the shot looks better with it, by all means, leave it on.

A prop on the set gives dimension to the picture. Be sure it is in a spot where balance is maintained and it is not distracting.

Set the camera so that you can barely see off the backdrop. It is better to crop in when editing the photos than to have someone's head cut out of shot on your best picture. 

Positioning

Study some professional photos and try to mimic the poses and positioning. If none seem to work for you, just do whatever looks even or symmetrical. 

Here's another tip: take plenty of pictures. Having five good pictures of each person/position makes selecting the "right" picture to print after the shoot. 

Also remember to consider the unique garden conflicts you are going to have in your area.

As we've often lived in dry rural areas, we have had to use deer and draught resistant flowers.

I knew what flowers I wanted to plant then found deer and draught resistant alternatives.

This makes it so that the garden will turn out beautiful and be a huge success.

No one likes seeing day lilies about to bloom one day and wake up to find them completely mowed down in the morning!

Although I must confess that I keep planting day lilies in the hope that someday the deer will leave them alone. 

Also keep in mind whether you need shade or sun plants according to your selected spot.

Don’t forget to add non-flower items to your sketch. Things to consider include: 

• Bench 
• Path 
• Prie dieu 
• Arbor 
• Trellis

Some or all of these elements add greatly to your Mary Garden. Planning where they fit now will be a huge asset to your planting later on.

Another important element to consider is having a place for kids to put little gifts for their queen. Little ones love praying and offering little dandelion nosegays to Mary.

Providing a path and allowing some room near the statue for their little feet is a good design idea because, of course, their dandelion nosegay is so much more important than the hundreds of dollars you have spent on the flowers you have planted.