Coming Soon!

Easy-to-understand, step-by-step instruction on how to pose like a pro.

Understand the art of posing, Conceptualizing the pose, Perspective, Composition & The Rule Of Triangles, Positioning, Expressions, Portrait lengths, Details, the rules of posing, organizing elements for professional looking candids,  easy posing formulas and much more.

Frozen in Motion
"The benefit of maintaining a fast shutter speed."
By Stephanie Adriana

Since photography is my passion, I want to insure the best quality outcome from my images. I want the best exposure and detail that my image can reflect, and besides equipment, image size and ISO, I can insure a high-quality perfect shot by maintaining a fast shutter speed.

Quality can be judged and dictated by your equipment. Obviously, a nice or $$$ expensive camera should be able to take a quality image in "Automatic Mode"! Yes, but if you shoot in "Manual Mode", or in any other mode besides "Automatic Mode" (Green Box), you will run into other factors beside equipment that govern the quality, or the outcome of your shot.

ISO, controlling the sensitivity of your image sensor, plays another important role in effecting image quality. You always want to try to use the lowest ISO possible to achieve the highest quality image. But, bear in mind, using your lowest ISO can give you a high quality shot only if it is giving you a fast enough shutter speed for your subject matter.

For instance, a low ISO of 100-200 is great, but if your shutter speed is 1/60th of a second or slower and you are hand-holding your camera and on top of that your subject is moving, you are photographically out of luck. Yuck! Your image will definitely be blurry (soft) regardless of Low ISO and $$$ expensive equipment. (No amount of "Photoshop" can fix this one!)

We do equate quality with crisp, clear, sharp and in-focus subjects and images, but how do we consistently accomplish this?

Here are a few of my go-to tips:
If you are shooting the way I like to.... Large aperture = fast shutter speed.
I start off with a relatively low ISO 100-400 depending on my lighting condition (Bright sun = 100, Shade, Early Morning, Late Afternoon,Fast Action = 400+).
Next, I select a large aperture, f 2.8, f 4.0 or f 5.6 and then, while shooting, I maintain a fast shutter by making sure to keep an eye on my shutter speed and never letting it get slower than 1/500th of a second and raising my ISO if my shutter goes too slow.

Remember, a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second or slower (1minute, 30 seconds, 1/5, 1/10, 1/30th of a second) IS TOO SLOW TO HAND-HOLD!
So you better break out the Tripod.

Action/Movement starts or begins to appear "Frozen-in-Time" at 1/500th of a second or faster. (1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000 & up.)
This is a case that when photographing action, such as movement from horses, dogs, hummingbirds or pesky two-year-olds. FASTER IS BETTER!

So, to recap:
- "If your shutter speed is too slow, raise your ISO!"
- Use a large aperture! (f 2.8, f 3.5, f 4.0 and f 5.6)
- Use a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second or faster when photographing Action/Movement and two-year-olds.

Good luck and Have fun shooting. 

Smiles,      Stephanie Adriana

Do You Have A Digital SLR Camera?

Learn Photography Guaranteed, From The Countries Mosts Effective Online Photography Course

Learn how to shoot in every mode of your digital camera.

Easy-to-learn, step-by-step, instruction.

Log in anytime, learn at your own pace.

Includes workbook, practice exercises & photo assignments.

Learn how to have complete control of Light & Exposure.

Access to Professional Photographers.

The Basic Elements of Photography, written and presented by professional photographer Val Westover, is the most effective beginner photography course in the country.Thousands of people all over the world passionate about photography have taken this course and now have a stronger understanding of how to have complete control of their camera.

Find out how you could make extra money representing our Online Photography Course. Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested.
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CLASSIC MOVIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION

Why, might you ask, are we putting together a collection of some old movies and some of them are really, really old?

Well, sometimes, it's very interesting to go back and look at old movies for new inspiration. Yes, I do watch these movies very closely to see how they used light, depth-of-field and composition.

Whether you want to view these old movies for "Cinematic Inspiration" or not, we hope that you enjoy taking a peek into the past.

All of the movies in our collection are 100% free (3 month movie rental) and we will be adding more movies each week.

Click Here to see all of the available movies from our "Classic Movie Series".

"Oh Give Me A Home"

Home on the range, weather, photography, horses, wildlife and the most beautiful views we have ever seen.

Just Like the song goes, that is the day-to-day life the we get to experience here in Three Forks Montana. A blessing in disguise. As Val worked like crazy creating and perfecting the Understanding The Basic Elements Of Photography; the Full Online Course, we had the great fortune of being able to stay put for a while at our Rant and Rave Ranch in Montana, with our hilltop view of the valley below, and  the rolling hills and ever changing weather. (I know that 10 acres does NOT a ranch make in Montana, but don't burst my fantasy bubble.)

Overlooking the incredible Missouri River, rich in Lewis and Clark history, watching Hollow top Mountain change colors from glowing pink in the morning to rich amber in the evening is just breathtaking.

We have daily visits from our growing herd of "welfare" deer that we so reluctantly feed along with our horses, fox, antelope, coyotes, rabbits, chipmunks, bald eagles, songbirds and our nesting resident bluebird couple that are busy hatching a new brood.

Monty the bordercollie feels that it is his job to keep the deer on their toes while Finley the Shetland Sheepdog gives his never-failing morale support and boisterous cheerleading; he really has no idea what Monty is really doing, but his heart is in the right place. What a scene.

Val gets to spoil our already spoiled-rotten, not-so-wild horses with daily  treats. (Our saddle horses are more house pets than livestock.)  Val loves to freak out our neighbors by riding around without a saddle, bridle, bit, halter, nothing but just a thin rope around his neck. Crazy!

"Pinch me Moments" happen constantly and we can finally take a moment to breath and reboot. The past 3 years have been an incredible whirlwind of traveling, workshops, meeting fantastic people, photography and fun. It feels strange to be in any one place for any length of time. All terrific things must come to an end but not forever. We are gearing up to go back on the road for more
live workshops in Las Vegas and California and plenty of photo shoots along the way. We will be back at our Montana Home on the Range in July to host family and our July 2013 Photography Expedition with Montana Horses at the world famous Mantle Ranch. Exciting!

See you along the trail and happy photographing. smiles to you,    Stephanie Adriana

Join award winning photographers, authors, and international photo safari guides, Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana, at the Mantle Ranch, home of Montana Horses, for an intense three-day photo workshop based on a working horse ranch in beautiful Montana.

July 19, 20, 21, 2013  Exciting itinerary includes hundreds of horses stampeding and galloping and interacting in herds and alone, portraiture, working cowboys, rodeo roughtstock, and equine photography.

Capture panoramic images of horses running from the hills above the Mantle Ranch, with one-on-one instruction from Val and Stephanie. Photograph hundreds of horses stampeding toward you, get up close and personal to photograph working cowboys and horses in the corrals, and then catch the action of rodeo roughstock, staged just for you. Also, learn how to create fine-art images and a very special session teaches you portraiture and how to capture that special horse or person in unforgettable moments.

Included in this three day workshop that follows Val Westover's instructional book "Capturing True Emotion. How to Photograph Like a Pro" is also a day of learning practical elements of photography and the business, editing, marketing, and cataloging images for personal enjoyment or resale. You'll cover advanced ESSENTIALS; Preparing for Success, ISO: Controlling the Image sensor, APERTURE: Controlling Light and Depth of Field, SHUTTER SPEED: Controlling Light and Movement, RELATIONSHIP: Combining Aperture and Shutter Speed, METERING: Measuring Light for the Correct Exposure, LIGHT: The Creation of a Photograph, COMPOSITION: Arranging the Elements of a Photograph.

Throughout three days of one on one instruction, you'll discover how to photograph like a pro, using incedible subjects on our working horse ranch. This is an excellent continuation of Val and Stephanie's 4 hour workshop, taught to thousands nationide, but in an extended itinerary with a limit of ten participants.

Events fill quickly and space is limited. Join us for this incredible opportunity to learn and photograph hundreds of horses on a real working horse ranch and get a backstage press pass to real ranch life in Montana.

Workshop includes concentration on essentials, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, relationship, lighting, metering, composition, fine art photography, portraiture, and professional one-on-one attention. See www.ValWestoverPhotography.com and www.StephanieAdriana.com for more details.

Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana are exclusive photography guides for all of Montana Horses Expeditions. They understand horses, are brilliant photographers, and fine people. This three days is a wonderful and friendly environment to discover and perfect your photographic skills.

Sessions begin at 9am daily. Lodging is included in Three Forks, nearest airport is Bozeman (BZN).

Arrive July 18th, depart July 22nd. Expedition is July 19 - 21, 2013.

Click Here to find out more about Montana Horses and this incredible Montana Photography Expedition

Click Here to Reserve your spot!

Join both Val Westover and Stephanie Adiana on a three-hour photography expedition in Las Vegas. Capture images at night , just as the city is waking up and looking it's best with the incredible light show that can only be found in Vegas. Take your low-light photography to the next level by learning how to capture special lighting effects without a flash in low light.
Learn how to use your flash effectively in low light, plus flash recipes.
Spots are limited, so CLICK HERE to register today.

Intermediate/Advanced Las Vegas Photography Expedition - Low Light & Use Of Flash At Night

Date:
Saturday May 25th 7-9 p.m.
Where:
Meet at 6:30 p.m.
in front of the Bellagio Hotel
(at the front doors)
Requirements:
Extra Batteries, Small Tripod,
and must have a flash (built-in or external.

“The Ultimate Camera Experience”
Photography Workshop

ex·pe·ri·ence 

direct observation of or participation in events as a basis of knowledge

Four-Hour Quick & Easy Complete Camera Instruction!

Whether you need a refresher, or whether you are new to photography, spend the entire day with both Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana learning how to have complete control of your Digital SLR camera. Spend the first part of the day at UCLA, learning the easy step-by-step system that will have you shooting in every mode of your camera. After lunch, we will be applying everything that you learned by shooting in every mode of your digital camera, on the beautiful grounds of the UCLA campus.

Beginners and experienced photographers welcome!

Learn how to have COMPLETE CONTROL of your camera so that you can
capture mind blowing images of your amazing life...

LEARN HOW TO SHOOT LIKE A PRO GUARANTEED!

“The Ultimate Camera Experience” has become the most popular and the most
effective system in the country. Thousands of photographers are now shooting with
confidence, controlling their camera, capturing amazing images of their life.
 
Spend some time with world renowned award winning professional photographers
and learn how to take control of your camera/photography. This is perfect for those
who want to gain a strong understanding of their camera!

Click Here To Reserve Your Spot

Join us for only $59 by using Promo Code ctepromo59

Winner:
Daniel Hesse with "Peaceful Morning Row" Brooklyn Park, Mn. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

We want to give a big CONGRATULATIONS to our 2012 Capturing True Emotion People’s Choice Photo Contest Winner, Daniel Hesse with the photo titled "Peaceful Morning Row". Congratulations Daniel what a quietly inspiring shot, Bravo! We love it!  This picture brings you into the moment and lets you feel the still of the morning..

Thank you for such a powerful shot. Daniel your prizes are on the way!

Think Tank Camera Bag, a Capturing Couture Fashion Camera Strap, a Gary Fong "Pop-up" Flash Puffer (flash diffuser) , The "Rainsleeve" by  OP/TECH and One Free Image Review Session.

Second place:
Mukul Mathur with "Little Flower" Lansdowne, India ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Third place: IS a TIE!!!!

Karthik Tulasi with "An Evening of Love" United States ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

&

 Sharon Henry with "Blue Ocean Wonder"  Great Ocean Road, Victoria Australia ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

We would also like to personally thank each and every one of you who participated in our, CTE: 2012 People's Choice Photo Contest.

You are all winners in our eyes! We truly appreciate you sharing your amazing photography craft with the CTE community.

Please stay tuned for the 2013 CTE Photo Contest, Dates, Rules and Prizes!

Now I know Val and I preach up and down all day long about the virtues of shooting in manual mode YES we LOVE Manual Mode!, but I want to talk a little about my next favorite mode and that is Aperture Priority. (A or AP)

As we all know especially, if you have been to our CTE Ultimate Camera Workshop (shameless plug!) Aperture controls light and the magical special effects of depth of field. So for low-light situations we can use large sized apertures like f1.8. f2.0, f4.0 and f5.6.

For too much light you can limit the amount of light by using a small sized aperture like f16,f22 and f32.

Now as far as special effects are concerned you all know that I LOVE the Bokeh effect (Blurry effect that creates a "Monet" like look in the background behind your subject) Large apertures like  f1.8. f2.0, f4.0 and f5.6 and I use this effect ALL of the time even to a fault for some... but I'm the artist and so are you!  FYI f4.0 is my all time favorite!

To "Wax" the Famous Photographer Ansel Adams (f64 Club) and create infinite depth of field you would use a small sized aperture like f16,f22 and f32, but REMEMBER!!! a small aperture is also used to limit light so be sure to use a tripod to get those perfect landscape shots because your shutter speed WILL be TOO SLOW to hand-hold and for awesome quality you may not want to "Raise your ISO"!

Okay so here are some of the hidden benefits of aperture priority...

1. In aperture priority you select your aperture and your camera helps you with selecting the correct shutter speed giving you a correct exposure according to the reflective light reading by your  meter inside your camera. In situations like weddings outdoor parties and sporting events this is a bonus because the event may be unfolding too fast and light may be too varied for you to shoot and meter in manual mode giving you fairly consistently exposed shots.

2. Aperture priority is also a great "Sports Mode"! Why? Well for two reasons the first being if you use a large aperture like  f1.8. f2.0, f4.0 and f5.6 you are allowing a lot  of light to come in so in order to achieve the correct exposure your camera will usually try to use a very fast shutter to compensate and in a bright light soccer, baseball or football field this is a recipe for success! Who wouldn't want a shot of their little/big athlete singled out in the crowd frozen perfectly in motion! The second reason being a low-light situation for those who manual mode is still a mystery it is another way to let your camera help you out in a tough lighting condition. So in a Gym when you a re-trying not to use a flash you can set your ISO to your highest # and open your aperture to the largest f-stop and see if your camera can help you get a fast enough shutter speed to Hand-hold and freeze your athlete in motion!

Some tips to remember**

-Keep an eye on your ISO "if your shutter speed is too slow raise your ISO!"

-A larger aperture will help you get a faster shutter speed, (f1.8. f2.0, f4.0 and f5.6) and add a high ISO for extremely low lit situations.

Aperture priority is a fun way to shoot in varied lighting conditions or when you want to not concentrate too hard to get the correct exposure try it next time you are out shooting and have fun!!

Smiles to you!

-Stephanie Adriana

Be sure to post and share your results with us on our Facebook page! Capturing True Emotion Photography Workshops

We Are Excited To Announce The Capturing True Emotion
Professional Photo Lab!

Who is your resource for printing your Precious Memories, "Once in a Lifetime Shots", Fine Art, Photo Holiday Gifts, Gallery Wraps and Canvas? Maybe Costco, Snapfish, Winkflash, Target or Wallmart?
How is the Color Correcting, Quality or Customer Service? We have come up with the perfect answer for you!
The Capturing True Emotion Professional Photo Lab!

A truly "Honest-to-Goodness"  On-line Professional Photo Lab is hard to come by today and is usually only accessible to Professional Photographers and Studios. Sure all of the on-line labs tote how professional and hi-quality their product are … who wouldn't?  We have been scratching our heads and racking our brains trying to figure out a way to get the same Professional Hi-End Products and Service that we use in our own business for you.
Only the best quality Paper, Printing, Canvas, Products, Color Correcting and Customer Service are good enough for our clients and now for you! It is so exciting to open up what we have been providing to our private customers now to our Talented Capturing True Emotion Participants and CTE Meetup Groups all over the country.
Whether or not you are professional photographer who has in the past handed-over a CD or DVD of all of your images to your clients,  collecting a small fee with no hope of add-on sales OR if you have just been on the most incredible vacation and landed that one shot of a lifetime that needs to be "Coffee Table" size in your  livingroom OR if you are making beautiful holiday gifts and heirlooms of your gorgeous images for family and friends to enjoy, our Capturing True Emotion Professional Photo Lab is your solution .
To Place your orders you will be using a professional program that will be required to be downloaded (No Fee). The Roes program will require the Java running system which is also easily downloaded and free. This is the same way we order for all of our own studio needs.So! Give our CTE Pro Lab a shot amd let us become your "Go-to" for all of your quality photo printing needs!! Big Smiles to you all!! -Stephanie Adriana
if you have any troubles please call our customer service # (423) 244-4493.

Some of the Amazing products available are…
- Fine Art Canvas
- Fine Art Paper
- Gallerywraps
- Cards
- Holiday Ornaments
- Calendars and other Gift items
- Specialty Items like Metallic/Metal Prints

Benefits of using a Professional Printing Lab vs. a Big Box Lab


         -Media Quality – Pro Labs typically print use only professional – grade photo papers for their silver halide output.  These papers from both Kodak or Fuji are more fade resistant and provide better color and tonal quality than “consumer grade” papers being used on printers found in the big box stores. 

       - Color Quality – Pro Labs calibrate their equipment every day to far more exacting standards than what is found in the consumer fulfillment market.  The result is far a far better look for what is going on your wall (or a client's wall) than is achievable otherwise.

       - Sizes Selection – While some locations offer larger prints, the best selection of large format printing options can be found at a Pro Lab.

       - Customer Support – Pro Labs have a huge stake in maintaining a satisfied client base, and they will stand behind their products.

THREE FORKS, Mont. -- 11 years ago Kail Mantle and his wife Renee began a tradition that would become one of the biggest events in Three Forks. With memories of the old west, they lead a horse drive from their winter pastures in Willow Creek, through Main Street in Three Forks and to their ranch.

Professional photography trips are scheduled for the horse drive, and the photographers say its some of the best photo opportunities they have anywhere in the world.

"I've been given opportunities to take pictures that bring a tear to your eye and take your breath away. There's lots of shots that do leave me breathless," said Stephanie Adriana, a professional photographer who leads trips to the horse drive for photo opportunities.

The sense of community the horse drive brings out in the people of Three Forks is evident.

"It's pretty neat to see the camaraderie after this is all over. Most people can't live with their neighbors in the world, we can't live without ours. Everybody comes together to help with this deal," said Mantle.

But this will be the last horse drive in Three Forks, Mantle and his wife are selling their ranch to instead raise cattle.

"The horse industry has changed and the tourists businesses have changed and morphed into something that, this doesn't work anymore," he said.

"You know i think the western way will never be lost, but it is the end of an era." said Adriana.

One last tip of the cap to the old west.

Is your destination wedding making you feel more like you are a soldier getting ready to parachute into war in a foreign country? Well, “combat” weddings no more! Let's trade in your parachute for a comfortable plane ticket and rental car ride! The best way to make your destination wedding less stressful is planning.

Preparing:

• First of all for any wedding shoot, local or destination, prepare your gear!
• Equipment: If you are shooting professionally then professional grade equipment is essential.
• Try to have two camera bodies. If one breaks down, you will have a spare.
• Two external flashes. If one breaks down, you will have a spare.
• Have your equipment regularly serviced, i.e., sensor cleaning, action oiled (of necessary) etc.
• Battery chargers and appropriate computer cords etc.
• Leave your camera manual in your bag. Period. At least until you get a new camera.
• Extra charged batteries and memory (SD) cards. You can never have enough batteries and memory cards!
• Do NOT shoot the entire Wedding on a single card. Try to use a few 2-4 GB cards instead of one 8 GB + cards. Putting them all on one card is like putting all of your eggs in one basket. If the card fails, gets damaged or is lost, all of someone’s precious moments are lost forever.
• Travel light. Always use two lenses; pack one long/zoom lens (like a 70-200mm) and one medium/wide-angle lens (like a 24-70mm). Then if you have room bring more so you can be more creative if you wish.
• Make sure your camera bag meets carry-on or overhead storage requirements when flying. Never check your camera Equipment! No camera, no wedding. Airline baggage handlers get paid for how fast they can load cargo, not how gently they can do it.
• Pack the clothes that you are going to wear at the wedding in your carry-on too! (*Bonus tip from Stephanie)

Getting There:

• Know where you are going! If you are going to a foreign country, check your passport status well before the wedding. Mexico: Yes. Hawaii: No! (Just kidding!)
•  
• Plot and plan where you are going the night before the event or before you leave home or the hotel. I can't stress how many times this has saved me!
• Leave enough time for your travel to the venue! I call this "Getting-Lost-by-Accident Time” or “I-Have-No-Idea-Where-I-Am Time".
• Do NOT trust GPS. Learn how to read a map. Back up any directions with plotting your route on a map. This tip will be invaluable. READ this tip again.
• Do NOT wear WHITE or a TUXEDO unless required. You are not the bride or the groom or part of the wedding party. Dress classy, comfortably, and professionally. If you do not know what to wear then ask the bride or wedding planner what the guest attire is and dress somewhere along those lines.
• If you want, bring snacks & water. In my camera bag I also have some emergency items like -pain reliever, allergy medication and Band-Aids.

At the Wedding:

• You made it! So be calm. Breathe. You set the mood and tone for your bride. Be happy! (Or pretend that you are!)
• Speak with the coordinator or the person in charge at the venue for any rules or restrictions regarding photography. You do not want to have made it all the way there and then get kicked out for not following the rules!
• For any wedding you need to consult with your bride prior to the wedding to make sure you have a list of the bride's “must-have” shots.
• Must-have shots are: the bride, the bride full-length, the groom (Just a few! LOL!), the bride and groom together! (Believe me this has been missed by photographers at weddings.), “The Kiss”, the cake, the rings, the venue, the family (both sides), breakdowns. Refer to the bride’s list for specifics. During the reception: toasts, garter toss and bouquet toss, the first dance, the cake cutting and anything else you can think of.
• Do a mix of photojournalism and traditional photography. The bride may ask for you to be creative but this is NOT a time to experiment.
• You are NOT part of the wedding. Try to be as inconspicuous as possible! Do not stand in-front of family and guests and do not dance with the bride and groom. Get the shot and be gone! Try to be a fly on the wall! A creative, artistic, photojournalistic fly.
• Use your flash. Bounce your flash.
• Try to tell a story of the day/event with your pictures. Pictures are the only thing that will last. Often times longer than the marriage! (LOL... JUST KIDDING!)

Please refer to our CTE Shop for any equipment advice and our CTE blog for any additional photo tips!

Smiles and good luck,

-Stephanie Adriana

The Wedding and Engagement Season is upon us, and we can't wait!

Appointments and dates for 2012 are already filling up. Reserve your spot for your special day now!

Watch Stephanie Adriana and her award winning wedding photography "Capture the True Emotion" of your incredible day. With the perfect mixture of photojournalism and traditional

Wedding photography, Stephanie will bring the best of old and new to document and preserve your day forever.

Destination weddings and wedding day fun/chaos are Stephanie Adriana's specialty. Call for a customized consultation and strategy session with Stephanie or our Director of Photography & Wedding Specialist, Jina Hawkins.

Choose from many spectacular and exciting Southern California locations to have your custom engagement session free when you book your wedding.

Contact Jina Hawkins to set up your appointment today! Toll free: 866-363-6900 to by e-mail @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Have your family portraits started looking like they should be featured on the "Awkward Family Photo" site?! Or has your posing gone stale and boring?!  Being the family photographer is not always the easiest task, new locations, lighting challenges, time constraints, impatient teenagers, cranky adults and fidgety kids all add up to photography stress. Coming up with creative and successful poses in these situations can be a stretch even for the seasoned pro. Here are a few posing tips and pick-me-ups to renew your posing fun!

First... BREATHE!! Take your time. Even if you are not a professional your family will appreciate the time you take to make the pictures come out right.
Scope out your location before bringing your family or subjects to that spot.

• Look for the best lighting... sometimes the back ground everyone wants is not in the best lighting condition. Check out the "Hawaii in the Background Photo Recipe"
• Set up your camera and adjust some of your settings before you start posing or before you bring in your subjects.  (Lighting, ISO & Shooting Modes like Manual Mode, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority etc.)
• Incorporate props if you can. Benches, stools, stumps, rocks and other natural and available seating can help break up your poses for large groups lending a more casual feel.
• Keep it natural! Try to keep the attitude in casual situations light and fun and for formal situations add a little levity to the group by mixing up partners, age groups and heights. *A good joke can go a long way!!  & A bad joke can ruin the day!!!
• Try setting up a formal pose and then as it disintegrates capture some candids.
• REMEMBER!! The Woman, Girl, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister or ANY Female in the shot is your priority!! Make the girls look good and you are guaranteed a great shot!
• Keep kids busy before and during the shot, try not to bring small children into the shot until you have set up the older kids and your camera. Create an activity that is photo-worthy so the difficult or possible problem children don't even know they are being photographed. Reward good behavior. Shoot quickly and stop early.
• First set up your subjects in poses that they would naturally do... ask them  to do more "Fashion Forward or Fun" poses once they are comfortable and relaxed.
• Once you have set up a pose, like a subject leaning on a door frame, Maximize it! Do as many shots as you can from that one pose, Full Body Shot, 3/4 Shot, Head & Shoulder Shot, Head Shot and even try rule of thirds.

• When posing couples keep them facing each other or only one facing away. Avoid posing both people with backs to each other or facing in opposite directions.
• Let your pose tell a story. Candids and photo-journalism lend a more storytelling effect/feel to your shots BUT most candids are set-up from the beginning.
• Incorporate The Rule of Thirds, Shapes and Triangular/Diamond Shape formations to please the eye and bring interest to the shot.

Keep it fun and simple. Have fun shooting and share your images!