Best LENS focal length for large group portraits!

In this video, we discuss techniques and lens choices for large groups. Large family groups, teams portraits, sport team groups, kids, etc.

First time here? Hi, I'm Omar Gonzalez, a professional portrait and event photographer in the NYC/NJ area. On this channel, we talk about cameras, lenses, tech, and techniques to improve our photography.

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YouTube Gear IN THIS EPISODE

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Favorite Fujifilm Gear:

Fun pocketable camera: Fujifilm X70 (love the sensor!)

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Learning!

[ogonzilla]

Guys. Beware in these comments. Spam bots have attacked. No one has won anything from me. I’m too cheap.

[lifeafterbeats]

I always hated these group photos, now I know why. I'd been making the mistake of shooting too wide. I saw this video a few hours before a gig this weekend and my group photo is no longer the weakest photo in my shoot. Thanks big O

[Mariner]

Great video! I only clicked because it was you, Omar. These "best focal length" videos are usually kinda pointless. Your tips on when and HOW to use different focal lengths and your posing tips are very helpful. Thanks!

[mistycloud]

These are some of the best group photos I've ever seen. Everyone is engaged and shows their character. Amazing.

[MarcusSortijas]

This was extremely helpful Omar. Group shots can be really tough.

You addressed so many questions I had, and questions I never thought of.

Ideas for follow-up videos:

—Fixing lens distortion in post on group photos. You touched on it here, and I’d like to know more in a computer tutorial. Such a relief to know there are some options to fix it in post if you’re forced to shoot at a wide focal length.

—Lighting and flash setups for group photos.

Thanks again for all you do to help photographers.

[martinlawrence]

Great advice Omar! Could perhaps have said more about the apertures you use with those stacked group shots!?

[madjpey]

Perfect! Just what I needed...I'm shooting 35 families this coming weekend at a resort and then one pic of them all together!! I'm now bringing my 85mm 1.4 along with either my 70-200 or 120-300 2.8. Leaving the wide angle at home

[BenSussmanpro]

Thanks, I always shoot groups at events & these are the most crucial photos because everyone wants the prints or jpegs. Nice refresher & great phone-jingle dance!!😆

[capturemeinpictures]

One tip that you mentioned was getting higher than the group. I did this recently by attaching the camera on top of a 9-foot light stand and triggering it remotely. Worked great! Thanks for sharing your skills in your engaging videos.

[m]

This was so helpful, Omar! I’m shooting my mothers wedding photos and I’ve been wondering how to do the group photo, perfect timing lol also I love these “situation” videos, they’re very literal and practical and I think you should do more

[hafeez]

I have learned a whole lot more about focal lengths in this one video than the thousands I've watched before this. Thanks a million Omar. You're a blessing to a complete newbie :)

[robari]

Thank you Omar - One of your best videos in my opinion. Clear explanation, great coordination between word and image illustration, short duration at basically 8 minutes. Thank you Sir.

[PeterBallGoogleBlog]

That was really useful. I've been doing this kind of shooting since the 70's. It's nice to have a refresher. Thank you

[wojtekw]

Everytime I watch Your videos it feel like a great meeting with a dear, goofy, but dear friend and than I see Your photos... Dammm You are talented! Those group shoots are amazing!

[Billythepizza]

Omar is my favorite YouTube photographer! Fellow jersey wedding photographer here and after second shooting since 2013 and my business on my own in 2018, I s to ll struggle at times to find someone who shows the shoots, the photos and what happens and makes me laugh and learn! Keep going Omar! I ant wait to see what comes next but after trying to learn groups and family photos more I come right here to learn. Cannot wait to for the wedding this weekend to try these

[photosbyjosef]

Thank you for this very insightful video filled with great techniques and the reasons why. I've been a professional photographer for over 12 years and I study stuff on YouTube every single day - I have never seen anybody present this topic at all.
This was very very helpful. Thank you my New Jersey neighbor from your Long Island friend.

[artistalleeway]

this is one of the best breakdowns I've seen! And love the humor. I hate taking pics from Cadajo land!

[nabilbebel]

Super helpful. Thank you. A lot of time people buy cameras to take photos of their family during events then often think wide lens is the way to go.

[wademortenson]

The school photo at min 7:07 blew my mind. I learned from this video. Thank you!

[brittneesanders]

😂😂😂 omg that lil dance took me out. You literally have me laughing every time 😂