7 Tips to Get Great Prom Group Photos by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

Prom is right around the corner and in most parts of the country, the group you go with is more important than having or not having a date. Juniors and Seniors want to celebrate with their friends and they will definitely want good pictures!!! 

These beautiful kids  represent Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Grapevine Faith, Byron Nelson in Trophy Club, Guyer in Denton, and Boswell around the Dallas Fort Worth area of North Texas. 

Here are SEVEN tips on how to do good group shots and be the photographer hero on prom night:

1. Have them on different levels. In the top photo you can see that I have some girls standing up on lawn furniture, some sitting, some standing, and some sitting on the ground. This way you get to see everyone and their dress and it's much more interesting than to see them standing in a straight line. If you have a dancer in your group, have her help you and tell her you need an "ending pose."

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2. Have them put their backs to the sun. That way they won't be squinting at the sun. This works better if you don't have the light source of the sun also in the photo, because the shadows on their faces would be too strong. As you can see in the photo above with the rim light around their hair, the staircase and building are high enough behind them that their faces remain bright enough.

3. Have them engage with each other and with you. They can group tightly together, "accordion" back and forth, hold hands, walk toward the camera, etc.

4. Incorporate their interests! I realize this is something I am doing as a Senior Picture Photographer, but it is a fun idea to show their range. How cute is it to see a swim cap, football, pompoms, running shoes, a baseball bat and glove, or volleyball with their glam prom dresses, suits, and tuxedos?

5. Get a variety of shots. It seems like everybody gets the same shot 100 times. Instead, make sure you get photos of them with their closest friends,  date, and parents. Also, get full-length, 3/4, and close up shots.

6. Get some candid shots! These two have been buddies since childhood and are not romantic, but the goofy shots when they weren't posing were among their parents' favorites.

7. Take your time. Move around and get shots of each kid by themselves, or just your child. But be intentional. Have them spin around. Vary the angles. Get the back of her dress and his jacket over his shoulder.