I know, I know, we don’t usually want to encourage small children to throw stuff, especially at each other or at expensive pieces of photographic equipment. But let’s explore the idea anyway, and see how using the natural environment, some props, and a bit of gravity, can add authentic fun to a family photoshoot.
Throw stuff: high-energy ideas for using gravity to your advantage in family photos
This prompt works well for small and large groups, and especially for families with small children. It’s all about capturing movement and colour, and the expressions of joy that result.
How to use this photo pose prompt
Have your camera ready with settings suitable for capturing fast motion. For larger groups remember a decent depth of field will be necessary, especially if the group is spread out and moving around. Cue the group with what you want them to do, then shoot continuously through the action. Review what you captured and repeat until you achieve the effect you’re looking for.
An on- or off-camera flash with a fast recharge and a diffuser is an excellent tool for this prompt, because it will allow you to freeze motion effectively even at lower shutter speeds. See suggested gear at the bottom.
Suggested camera settings
- Fast shutter (higher than 1/200 unless you are using a flash; experiment with how fast the material being thrown moves).
- ISO as low as possible for the light to keep shutter speed fast.
- Shoot in burst mode to catch best moment.
- Use continuous focus mode and focus on the eyes of the central person.
- Use a flash to freeze motion at slower shutter speeds.
Idea 1: Throw nature
- Group the family facing the camera, either standing or sitting, tell them to grab handfuls of natural elements (such as hay, autumn leaves, snow, flowers) and on the count of three throw the handfuls up into the air.
Idea 2: Throw colour
- As above, but use confetti, fake feathers, coloured pom poms (the kind you find at a craft store), torn-up pieces of scrap paper (e.g. old product catalogues), coloured scarfs.
- Throw balloons: load up a sheet with balloons on top, get all the kids underneath with the adults holding the sheet taut, then on the count of three, whip the sheet up and away so the balloons fly up and land down on the kids.
Idea 3: Throw at the camera
- Group family tightly and have them throw multi-coloured paper planes towards the lens.
- Shoot party poppers towards the camera (note: these are difficult to freeze without flash).
- Everyone grab a dandelion and blow the floaty seeds towards the camera.
- Glitter*: hold it cupped in hands and blow it towards the camera.
*Disclaimer: Don’t do this in your house. Or a client’s house. Please, just don’t. Outside is the place for glitter, people. Also, use a long enough focal length that you don’t end up with glitter blown all over you and your gear. No photo is worth that kind of punishment. I use my Tamron 70-200mm f2.8.
Creative extension
- Experiment with capturing the whole scene versus the tight details of faces behind the falling leaves, hands holding dandelion, etc.
- Lie on the ground to exaggerate the height of the falling materials.
- Experiment with freezing the motion versus letting it blur. For example getting the faces sharp while allowing the moving particles to blur in front.
Suggested flash gear
Flash really helps to freeze the motion for this prompt. For on-camera flash, either bounce it off a wall, or use a diffuser. I use the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Read the prompt Get Flashy for a thorough overview of how to use a flash.
The off-camera flash setup I use is super easy to use. I have two speedlites, the Canon 580EX II and the 430EX II. I use the Godox X2T-C wireless trigger and one Godox X1R-C receiver on each speedlite, and either my Lightsphere diffuser or my Rogue XL Pro2 Flash Bender. One flash will be enough for quick setups with this prompt, and if you don’t have a diffuser or a softbox, bounce it off the ceiling or a wall. Even a direct blast of un-diffused flash would work to enhance the dramatic nature of this prompt!
Ok, that’s the “Throw Stuff” prompt. What ways do you capture movement and colour with your family clients? Tag @promptographerguide and use the hash tag #promptographerguide to share your photos.
Want this prompt in your Field Cards set?
All the info in this prompt post is summarised onto a single card in the Promptographer Guide Field Cards, with the details given in the accompanying Guidebook. All the ideas are given on the one card so you have a rich, comprehensive tool for sparking ideas. I’ve designed it this way so you only need five to ten cards to build a whole photoshoot.
If you want this prompt in your set, make sure you include Set 10: Family Moments in your Field Cards.
