'Group' photo shoot question

[Interlude Photography]

Hi all,

I have a question for all you wonderful 365 photographers. I would really appreciate some inspiration and ideas.

I'll be doing a photo shoot for a handbell choir later this month (approx. 15 people, give or take a few). I've never done a group shoot before and I really want to put my best foot forward here because it's for a friend of mine.

Do any of you have some pointers for me? I want to do a great job for them, and I'd especially love to take some really creative shots.

I'm all ears, so please throw your ideas at me!!

Thanks so much!!
Kim

P.S. (added on 9/5/2011) This is a photo shoot for promotional purposes, it's not to shoot a concert etc. They will, however, have their dressy clothes on and will have their handbells. I'd love to think of something creative to to with the director...to make her stand out. Any ideas on that? Thanks again for your input everyone!!

[Shades of Grey]

Find out the routine / songs they are going to perform and the place. See how they are going to set up. Don't be afraid to stage a shot or two.

[ronphotography]

@interludephotos for group shots, use smaller apertures (larger F numbers such as F/11 or F/22) so that people at the back are also crisp clear, however in saying that, you might encounter longer exposures bec of the low light entering your lens, so better have your tripod handy if you don't want blurry photos, good luck!

[Kit Marsden]

Handbells?

Dress up as the conductor, and they won't even notice you're there...

[Jason Daniels]

stand up on a chair, and take a shot with them in a cluster as opposed to rows, and you can get some in close and some more towards the back....

[sally czerwik-hampshire]

any chance you can get above them for a shot or 2 ?get them all clustered with bells raised and looking up at you so they look a bit like a flower

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

I would do some traditional group everyone-in-focus shots, but I would also do some wider-aperture shots of people in a row, from the side, so that, for example, the person closest to the camera is in focus but the people along the row in gradually increase in blurriness, from one person to the next, if that makes sense. :)

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

(I tried to find a photo on google to illustrate what I meant, but that proved surprisingly difficult! This is what I mean, but replace the glasses with people :D http://www.flickr.com/photos/teenytinyturkey/2870905547/)

[Interlude Photography]

@shadesofgrey @ronphotography @manek43509 @bobfoto @sallycheese @pocketmouse
Thanks, some great ideas. Just to clarify...this isn't for a concert. The photos are going to be used as promotional photos...for their website, for brochures etc. I like the ideas of shooting from above. My biggest thing is getting everything clear, so I'll heed the advice of using a tripod but shooting larger F numbers. If you have any other 'creative' poses, please send 'em my way. Thanks!!!

[Christopher Byrd]

Try different angles, like from a prone position. Since it's for promotional use... find the best looking people and set them in front (sounds rude but everyone does it, sexy sells... it's a fact)