As the festive season approaches, the pressure to capture that perfect family photograph intensifies. For most families, this means herding reluctant children and coordinating outfits, but for the Prince and Princess of Wales, their annual Christmas portrait is a much-anticipated public event.
The Royal Blueprint for Perfect Portraits
Josh Shinner, the celebrated photographer behind the Wales family's iconic 2023 Christmas card image, has now revealed the professional secrets that help create such stunning family moments. The photograph, which featured Prince William, Princess Kate, and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, captivated the public with its simple aesthetic of jeans and white shirts.
Speaking to the Mirror, Shinner outlined six crucial elements for capturing unforgettable family moments: choose your moment, take multiple frames, avoid overhead lighting, break up the composition, make it personal, and get involved.
Timing and Technique: The Professional Approach
According to Shinner, timing is everything when it comes to family photography. "Don't try and take the picture when one of the family is juggling 14 different pans and preparing Christmas dinner," he advised. "Give people some warning and don't just spring it on them."
The seasoned photographer, who also captured Prince Louis's birthday portrait, emphasised the importance of taking multiple shots. "In a group shot, there'll always be someone blinking or saying something, so take more than you need," Shinner explained. "It can sometimes be a numbers game, and the best shot often comes when everyone thinks you've finished shooting and you take just one more."
Lighting, Composition and Creating Connection
Lighting can make or break a family portrait, and Shinner strongly advises against using overhead lighting. "Don't do it under the kitchen spotlights," he warned. "Try and position the camera just inside a big window (one ideally facing north or east if possible) so there's natural and even light on everyone's faces."
Reflecting on his famous 2023 Christmas image of the Wales family, where William and Kate stood behind their children with Charlotte seated on a chair, Shinner highlighted the importance of varied composition. "Instead of everyone just being in a single line, try to have some height variation so the faces are more grouped together," he suggested. "Granny in her favourite chair, others stood behind and sat on the arm of the chair, grandchildren on the floor in front or on knees perhaps."
Perhaps the most crucial elements, according to Shinner, are personalisation and inclusion. "Getting to know your subjects in portraiture is absolutely key," he said. "Thankfully you know this group of people better than anyone. Use in-jokes or old stories to bring out a natural and genuine reaction rather than just telling everyone to say 'cheese' on cue."
For ensuring everyone makes it into the frame, Shinner recommends using modern technology. "Most phones and cameras now enable you to trigger the shutter and take the photo from a nearby device," he noted. "Set the shot up, hold the second device behind someone's back and snap away. Or if all else fails, use a self-timer and make people laugh by trying to get into position in time!"
In an interview with The Telegraph, Shinner revealed that the ultimate secret to a great family photo lies in the atmosphere. "It's creating the most relaxed atmosphere so the people in front of the camera can be themselves," he shared. "If you can make people feel at ease, they can open up, which creates a better picture. Otherwise, you're effectively just doing a passport picture where someone stands still and someone else presses a button; there's no feeling in that."
