Tips wanted: Funny group shots of family

[Raymond Brettschneider]

Hi all,
My sister has asked me to be her official wedding photographer. Very exciting. I've got almost everything nailed down on how we want to do it, but there is one thing that I find very daunting and I really want to make it something special. The family group shot.

Does anyone have suggestions, links, photos that may inspire me to make a groupshot-with-a-twist? There will ofcourse be the standard full on family shot, but I really also want something different to go with it. Nothing too fancy, but just a bit more interesting.

It will be a group of around 30 people, and we will most likely be taking it in a monastic garden.

So looking forward to your inspiration! Thanks already!

Raymond

Sneak preview of the pre-wedding shoot I did yesterday:

[D. Marie Williams More]

Having just looked at my son's wedding pictures, I see no need for the 'funny shots'. A staged funny shot isn't really all that funny. Why not go for a casual shot, instead? Seat them at the reception tables or have them gather around one of the statues.

[Raymond Brettschneider]

@dmariewms Hi Marie, thanks for responding, you're absolutely right, perhaps funny wasn't the best choice of words. I'm looking for something like a more interesting angle, a more interesting way of grouping the people, do's and don'ts.

So, I hope that with that clarification, people will have some good ideas for me.

[Jessica Dowdy]

I don't have any suggestions, except for this: check out pinterest.com
you have to start an account with them. If you're interested, give me your email and i will send you an invite. I've gotten so much inspiration from there lately.

[Chris Wang]

@raymond I'd suggest checking out Todd Laffler's photos - I think he takes the most amazing wedding/engagement photos. http://lafflerphotography.com/blog/

[Kathy A]

Something that seems to be taking off is using an empty picture frame for your guest shots. Each guest or group of guests get to do whatever they want with the frame in their photo. This can end up funny, serious or creative.

[Elyse Klemchuk]

At family get-togethers we always do a photo with our "second grade smiles"-- that's sort of a family inside joke for "make a goofy face".

[Colleen]

I think Amy did a neat job with processing the photo.

[Lisabell]

Check out http://www.morganmattersphotography.blogspot.com/ I love some of her wedding photos because they are fun without being corny.