An Evening, Together

01 · The Quiet Opening

A close portrait that establishes identity before the garden spectacle.

Say to your subject

“Turn a little sideways.”

“Bring your eyes back to me.”

“Let your shoulders soften.”

Base arrangement: 1 participant(s)

Body 20° from camera, weight comfortably balanced, feet stable and knees unlocked; shoulders low, arms resting down out of frame, head turned gently back to lens, chin neutral, eyes into camera, a small genuine smile.

Set the scene

Open shade at a permitted path edge, backed by a single quiet foliage tone. Stand on the path, 3–5 m in front of the background.

Background & depth

Distant low-detail foliage, moderately soft; no bright holes beside the head. Parent roughly 1.5–2 m away; background several metres behind subject. Shift sideways to remove labels and bright patches.

Camera

Portrait orientation; capture native 4:3 (displayed vertically as 3:4); head-and-shoulders at eye height, level, about 1.5–2 m away. Start 1× Photo, crop modestly afterward; use a verified longer lens only if it frames comfortably. Tap the nearer eye; hold phone with both hands.

Lighting

Open sky just off the camera axis softly illuminates both eyes; keep foliage behind darker than the face.

Cloudy / shade

Open sky just off the camera axis softly illuminates both eyes; keep foliage behind darker than the face.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Bright gaps touching hair
• Chin lifted too far
• Eyes soft or blinking

Comfortable alternative

Keep body square and simply talk to the teenager until an easy expression appears.

02 · A Place to Remember

Make one teenager and the surrounding garden equally meaningful.

Say to your subject

“Stand with one foot a little forward.”

“Turn slightly toward the open lawn.”

“Look back to me.”

Base arrangement: 1 participant(s)

Feet shoulder-width or slightly narrower, weight mostly on rear leg, front knee soft, hips and torso turned 20° toward the open side; shoulders relaxed, hands separately at sides, head toward camera, eyes at lens, composed expression.

Set the scene

Accessible lawn beside a woodland edge, wherever visitor access permits. Stand on permitted lawn about 4–6 m in front of the trees.

Background & depth

Broad canopy and readable trunks; no assumed blooms. Parent 5–7 m away; woodland a further 4–6 m behind the teenager. Keep bins, people and signs outside the frame.

Camera

Landscape 4:3; full length, subject on right third; chest-height level phone, 1× Photo from about 5–7 m. Keep shoes, hands and canopy in frame; tap face and check garment highlights.

Lighting

Bright overcast or open shade; sky faces the subject and the tree line remains a little darker.

Cloudy / shade

Bright overcast or open shade; sky faces the subject and the tree line remains a little darker.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Subject too small to read
• Tree trunk appearing to grow from head
• Feet or hem cut off

Comfortable alternative

Use a wide path-edge clearing if the lawn is unavailable; keep the same negative-space geometry.

03 · The Seated Pause

Create a relaxed full-length portrait through a stable seated shape.

Say to your subject

“Sit comfortably with both feet down.”

“Rest your hands on your knees.”

“Look just beside my shoulder.”

Base arrangement: 1 participant(s)

Feet supported on ground, knees comfortable and close without pressure, torso upright with a slight forward inclination, hips fully supported; shoulders loose, each hand rests separately on its own knee, chin neutral, gaze just beside the lens, faint smile.

Set the scene

An accessible public bench, if available, with a quiet garden background. Sit near the centre of a clean, dry seat; use only normal seating.

Background & depth

Low-detail planting 3 m or more behind when possible. Parent 3–4 m away; planting beyond the bench. Avoid bags, labels and other visitors.

Camera

Portrait 3:4 full seated figure; phone at seated chest height, level, 1× Photo from about 3–4 m. Leave room below shoes. Tap face; stabilize with elbows close to body.

Lighting

Bench in open shade, facing an open patch of sky for even facial light.

Cloudy / shade

Bench in open shade, facing an open patch of sky for even facial light.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Dirty or wet seating
• Enlarged knees from low close camera
• Hands stacked or tense

Comfortable alternative

If no suitable bench exists, use a standing portrait with relaxed hands; skip the seated geometry rather than sit on rocks.

04 · The Turn Between Frames

Capture youthful movement as a small turn, without theatrical fabric tossing.

Say to your subject

“Stay where you are.”

“Turn slowly toward me.”

“Say hello when you see me.”

Base arrangement: 1 participant(s)

Feet remain planted; shift weight slightly, rotate torso about 30° toward the camera, knees unlocked, hips follow naturally, shoulders and arms loose, hands empty and separate, head follows turn, eyes meet lens just as a smile arrives.

Set the scene

A wide, level public path beside foliage; yield completely to visitors. Start stationary on the safe path edge and turn in place slowly.

Background & depth

A bend or diagonal path edge and foliage. Parent 3–4 m away; background 4 m or more beyond. No pedestrians crossing the subject.

Camera

Portrait 3:4, three-quarter crop ending mid-calf rather than at a joint; chest-height level camera, 1× Photo from 3–4 m. Repeated captures or native Burst; tap face before the turn.

Lighting

Even open shade or bright overcast to give the phone enough light for movement; no dappled stripes.

Cloudy / shade

Even open shade or bright overcast to give the phone enough light for movement; no dappled stripes.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Take a short sequence during the action; choose a frame with open eyes and clean limb separation.

Check the frame

• Motion-soft eyes
• Hand lost behind torso
• Path traffic entering frame

Comfortable alternative

Hold the final turn still and photograph a quiet smile; no spinning required.

05 · Leaves at the Margin

Build depth with a delicate foreground edge while leaving the person unobstructed.

Say to your subject

“Face the bright opening.”

“Relax your arms.”

“Look at me through the clear gap.”

Base arrangement: 1 participant(s)

Body turned gently toward the light, stable feet and relaxed hips; torso upright, shoulders down, elbows loose, hands resting below crop, head neutral, eyes toward camera, thoughtful relaxed expression.

Set the scene

Public path next to overhanging foliage that can be photographed without touching plants. Subject stands on path beyond a nearby leaf edge; photographer also stays on path.

Background & depth

Different foliage layer 3–5 m behind subject. Subject about 2–3 m from parent; leaf edge close to lens. Move the phone rather than plants; never cover eyes.

Camera

Portrait 3:4 waist-up; eye-height level phone from about 2–3 m, 1× Photo. Tap face, not near leaves. Two-handed grip; crop above hips with hands entirely out of crop.

Lighting

Open shade on subject; near leaves can be darker, but no spot of sunshine across the face.

Cloudy / shade

Open shade on subject; near leaves can be darker, but no spot of sunshine across the face.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Leaves over face
• Focus on foreground
• Photographer drifting into planting bed

Comfortable alternative

Remove foreground from the composition by stepping sideways along the path.

06 · The Light Along the Cheek

A restrained side-lit close portrait reveals form without turning into a silhouette.

Say to your subject

“Turn toward the bright opening.”

“Bring your face halfway back to me.”

“Keep your chin level.”

Base arrangement: 1 participant(s)

Feet stable, torso 30° from camera, shoulders relaxed, arms at sides; head turned halfway back toward lens so both eyes remain visible, chin level, eyes just past camera, serene expression.

Set the scene

Woodland edge with a broad bright sky opening on one side. Stand in even shade near the opening, entirely on permitted ground.

Background & depth

Dark, quiet foliage well beyond subject. Parent about 2 m away; background at least 4 m beyond. No small sky pinholes behind head.

Camera

Portrait 3:4 chest-up, eye-height level phone from around 2 m, 1× Photo with a modest later crop or a verified longer lens. Tap nearer eye; keep shadow-side eye visible.

Lighting

Broad open sky about 45° to subject lights one cheek; ambient sky fills the other. This is soft directional shade, not hard direct sun.

Cloudy / shade

Broad open sky about 45° to subject lights one cheek; ambient sky fills the other. This is soft directional shade, not hard direct sun.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Far eye hidden
• Shadow side too dark
• Sun patch on nose

Comfortable alternative

Turn fully toward the open sky and use even light like concept 01.

07 · Parallel Lines

Make shared confidence visible through equal stature and clear silhouettes.

Say to your subject

“Leave a little space between you.”

“Turn slightly toward the middle.”

“Everyone look at me.”

Base arrangement: 2 participant(s)

For two or three, stand roughly 40 cm apart in one row, feet stable, torsos slightly toward the centre, shoulders relaxed, each person’s hands separate at sides or own pockets if present, heads level and all eyes toward camera. Solo stands off-centre with more negative space.

Set the scene

A broad permitted lawn edge with a simple horizontal planting boundary. One, two or three subjects in a single shallow row on permitted ground.

Background & depth

Quiet horizontal foliage band, several metres away. No more than 20–30 cm front-to-back difference. No bright signs between heads.

Camera

Landscape 4:3 for two/three; portrait 3:4 for solo. Full length at chest height, level, 1× Photo from 4–6 m. Tap a central face; keep people away from extreme frame edges.

Lighting

Even open shade or overcast across the whole row; face everyone toward the same open sky.

Cloudy / shade

Even open shade or overcast across the whole row; face everyone toward the same open sky.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• One person closer and much larger
• Touching hands merging
• Empty side margins uneven

Comfortable alternative

Solo: keep one figure on a third. Trio: add a third at equal depth; widen by stepping back.

08 · The Shared Joke

Build the album’s warmest moment from a real exchange.

Say to your subject

“Think of a funny moment you shared.”

“Tell each other the short version.”

“Keep your feet where they are.”

Base arrangement: 3 participant(s)

Two or three stand at shallow depth, feet still, torsos angled inward, shoulders loose, hands individually resting down, heads turned to the speaker rather than all toward lens; a genuine smile or laugh follows a spoken memory. Solo reacts to the parent off camera.

Set the scene

A level public path widening or permitted lawn edge. One, two or three people pause at the edge without blocking circulation.

Background & depth

Layered foliage without bright holes. All faces within about 30 cm of the same plane; parent 2.5–4 m away. Remove signs and unrelated walkers by waiting.

Camera

Landscape 4:3 waist-up for two/three; portrait for solo. Eye-height level 1× Photo from 2.5–4 m; tap a face, then repeated captures or Burst. Do not request a slow shutter.

Lighting

Bright open shade with all faces turned enough toward sky to keep eyes readable.

Cloudy / shade

Bright open shade with all faces turned enough toward sky to keep eyes readable.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Take a short sequence during the action; choose a frame with open eyes and clean limb separation.

Check the frame

• Outer face fully in profile
• Closed eyes in every frame
• Hands obscuring faces

Comfortable alternative

One person at a time can react to the parent’s quiet question.

09 · Room for the Garden

A small figure or friendship cluster gives the landscape scale and a reflective pause.

Say to your subject

“Stand close enough to feel together.”

“Look toward that open patch.”

“Keep your shoulders relaxed.”

Base arrangement: 2 participant(s)

One stands relaxed, hands by sides, gaze toward a garden opening. Two/three align loosely within one depth plane, 40–60 cm apart, bodies facing the same opening, one person may look toward a friend. Stable feet, neutral shoulders and heads; no backs-only arrangement.

Set the scene

A broad permitted lawn or open clearing beside a public path. Subjects on permitted ground, small but readable in lower-left third.

Background & depth

Readable tree canopy and layered planting; no guaranteed flowers. Parent 7–10 m away; subjects aligned at shallow depth. Keep bright sky small and remove bins from composition.

Camera

Landscape 4:3 wide environmental view; eye-to-chest-height level camera from 7–10 m, 1× Photo. Keep faces at least partly visible, subjects roughly a quarter of frame height; tap a subject.

Lighting

Bright overcast or open shade; keep sky exposure restrained and faces visible.

Cloudy / shade

Bright overcast or open shade; keep sky exposure restrained and faces visible.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Figures too tiny
• Faces turned completely away
• Bright sky stealing attention

Comfortable alternative

Move closer for a three-quarter environmental frame if faces cannot be read.

10 · The Friendship Arc

A composed ensemble gives every friend equal presence while making a gentle curve.

Say to your subject

“Make a very shallow curve.”

“Leave a little daylight between shoulders.”

“Everyone look at me.”

Base arrangement: 8 participant(s)

Eight stand in shallow arc, taller people nearer centre without hiding others; about 30–50 cm gaps, all feet stable, torsos gently inward, shoulders relaxed, separate hands at sides or own pockets if present; heads face lens, all eight eyes visible, friendly small smiles.

Set the scene

A broad permitted lawn backed by a quiet woodland edge. Eight people in a shallow arc on lawn; keep access routes open.

Background & depth

Darkish planting band 5 m or more behind when possible. Keep arc depth under about 0.6 m. Avoid canopy branches merging with heads.

Camera

Landscape 4:3 full ensemble; level camera at average chest height, 1× Photo about 7–9 m away. Step farther back instead of 0.5×. Tap central face, check both ends, take several frames.

Lighting

One consistent open-sky source across the full arc; use open shade or overcast, no patchy sunlight.

Cloudy / shade

One consistent open-sky source across the full arc; use open shade or overcast, no patchy sunlight.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Fewer than eight visible faces
• End participants stretched
• Dappled light on one person

Comfortable alternative

Straight shallow row if the arc feels awkward; retain face gaps.

2 people

Say to your subjects

“Stand side by side with a comfortable gap.”

“Turn very slightly toward each other.”

“Bring your eyes back to me.”

A broad permitted lawn backed by a quiet woodland edge.

Exactly two teenagers stand side by side with a comfortable shoulder gap, at nearly the same distance from the camera. Turn slightly inward; keep both faces separate and clearly visible. Stable feet, torsos slightly inward, shoulders relaxed, separate hands at sides, all faces and eyes toward lens.

Landscape 4:3 full length; level average chest-height phone, 1× Photo at roughly 4–5 m; include shoes and keep outer people away from edges.

Group lighting

The same even open-sky light falls on both faces; choose open shade or overcast and avoid dappled sunlight.

Group checks

• Uneven light on either face
• Shoes cut out of the frame
• Face stretched near an image edge

Stand square to the camera if turning inward feels awkward; keep a clear gap between faces.

4 people

Say to your subjects

“Make a very shallow curve.”

“Leave a little daylight between shoulders.”

“Everyone look at me.”

A broad permitted lawn backed by a quiet woodland edge.

Exactly 4 teenagers in one shallow arc, 30–50 cm shoulder gaps, taller friends toward centre, no more than 0.6 m front-to-back spread. Stable feet, torsos slightly inward, shoulders relaxed, separate hands at sides, all faces and eyes toward lens.

Landscape 4:3 full length; level average chest-height phone, 1× Photo at roughly 5–7 m; include shoes and keep outer people away from edges.

Group lighting

One consistent open-sky source across the full arc; use open shade or overcast, no patchy sunlight.

Group checks

• Fewer than 4 visible faces
• End participants stretched
• Dappled light on one person

Straight shallow row if the arc feels awkward; retain face gaps.

8 people

Say to your subjects

“Make a very shallow curve.”

“Leave a little daylight between shoulders.”

“Everyone look at me.”

A broad permitted lawn backed by a quiet woodland edge.

Exactly 8 teenagers in one shallow arc, 30–50 cm shoulder gaps, taller friends toward centre, no more than 0.6 m front-to-back spread. Stable feet, torsos slightly inward, shoulders relaxed, separate hands at sides, all faces and eyes toward lens.

Landscape 4:3 full length; level average chest-height phone, 1× Photo at roughly 7–9 m; include shoes and keep outer people away from edges.

Group lighting

One consistent open-sky source across the full arc; use open shade or overcast, no patchy sunlight.

Group checks

• Fewer than 8 visible faces
• End participants stretched
• Dappled light on one person

Straight shallow row if the arc feels awkward; retain face gaps.

11 · Walking Together

A gentle collective stroll makes the friends feel like themselves.

Say to your subject

“Take two slow steps toward me.”

“Leave a little room between you.”

“Keep your faces where I can see them.”

Base arrangement: 8 participant(s)

Eight walk slowly in a shallow row, arms swinging gently at their own sides, no forced linking or touching, feet natural and knees soft; most heads towards camera, two neighbouring friends may exchange a small glance without hiding faces. All remain visible.

Set the scene

Permitted broad lawn alongside a path; use grass for eight if a path would be blocked. Eight in one loose shallow row, walking two slow steps toward stationary parent.

Background & depth

Lawn edge and quiet botanical layers. Keep heads within about 0.5 m front-to-back; no trailing hidden row. Stop when visitors approach; do not walk backward.

Camera

Landscape 4:3 full length; stationary level phone at chest height, 1× Photo from 8–10 m. Tap central face at start; Burst or repeated captures. Stay still and let subjects approach.

Lighting

Bright overcast or bright open shade; equal illumination and enough light for sharp moving faces.

Cloudy / shade

Bright overcast or bright open shade; equal illumination and enough light for sharp moving faces.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Take a short sequence during the action; choose a frame with open eyes and clean limb separation.

Check the frame

• Feet cut off mid-step
• Face blocked by neighbour
• Motion blur or exaggerated strides

Comfortable alternative

Stand still in the same row, then ask neighbours to exchange a small smile.

2 people

Say to your subjects

“Take two slow steps toward me.”

“Leave a little room between you.”

“Keep your faces where I can see them.”

A broad permitted lawn with consistent open shade. Keep pathways clear; use lawn for the whole formation and photographer.

Exactly 2 teenagers in a loose shallow row on a broad permitted lawn, faces within 0.5 m of the same depth. Take two slow steps toward a stationary parent. Small natural strides, separate swinging arms, clear face gaps; most look toward camera, neighbours may glance at one another while retaining facial visibility.

Landscape 4:3 full length, chest-height level phone, 1× Photo about 5–6 m away; short Burst or repeated frames; parent stays still.

Group lighting

Bright overcast or bright open shade; equal illumination and enough light for sharp moving faces.

Group checks

• Feet cut off mid-step
• Face blocked by neighbour
• Motion blur or exaggerated strides

Stand still in the same row, then ask neighbours to exchange a small smile.

4 people

Say to your subjects

“Take two slow steps toward me.”

“Leave a little room between you.”

“Keep your faces where I can see them.”

A broad permitted lawn with consistent open shade. Keep pathways clear; use lawn for the whole formation and photographer.

Exactly 4 teenagers in a loose shallow row on a broad permitted lawn, faces within 0.5 m of the same depth. Take two slow steps toward a stationary parent. Small natural strides, separate swinging arms, clear face gaps; most look toward camera, neighbours may glance at one another while retaining facial visibility.

Landscape 4:3 full length, chest-height level phone, 1× Photo about 6–8 m away; short Burst or repeated frames; parent stays still.

Group lighting

Bright overcast or bright open shade; equal illumination and enough light for sharp moving faces.

Group checks

• Feet cut off mid-step
• Face blocked by neighbour
• Motion blur or exaggerated strides

Stand still in the same row, then ask neighbours to exchange a small smile.

8 people

Say to your subjects

“Take two slow steps toward me.”

“Leave a little room between you.”

“Keep your faces where I can see them.”

A broad permitted lawn with consistent open shade. Keep pathways clear; use lawn for the whole formation and photographer.

Exactly 8 teenagers in a loose shallow row on a broad permitted lawn, faces within 0.5 m of the same depth. Take two slow steps toward a stationary parent. Small natural strides, separate swinging arms, clear face gaps; most look toward camera, neighbours may glance at one another while retaining facial visibility.

Landscape 4:3 full length, chest-height level phone, 1× Photo about 8–10 m away; short Burst or repeated frames; parent stays still.

Group lighting

Bright overcast or bright open shade; equal illumination and enough light for sharp moving faces.

Group checks

• Feet cut off mid-step
• Face blocked by neighbour
• Motion blur or exaggerated strides

Stand still in the same row, then ask neighbours to exchange a small smile.

12 · The Garden Salon

Vary heights using ordinary seating while keeping every face clear and every body comfortable.

Say to your subject

“Seated friends, feet down and hands on your own laps.”

“Standing friends, find a clear gap for your face.”

“Everyone look here.”

Base arrangement: 8 participant(s)

Four seated with feet grounded, knees comfortable, own hands separately on laps; four standing with stable feet, arms at own sides, taller friends in rear, faces in gaps above seated shoulders. Torsos mostly toward lens, a few slight inward angles; all eight heads and eyes face camera.

Set the scene

A clean, dry accessible bench beside enough permitted level standing space; verify on arrival. Four seated on a sufficiently wide bench, four standing immediately behind in visible gaps.

Background & depth

Quiet textured garden planting. Standing row only 0.4–0.6 m behind seated faces. No leaning on plants, rocks or restricted features.

Camera

Landscape 4:3 full tableau; level phone at about seated-eye height or slightly above, 1× Photo from 6–8 m. Focus on a central face; check both rows sharp. Keep every head and all seated shoes; allow natural overlap of standing lower legs.

Lighting

Bench and standing area in the same open shade or overcast light, facing one broad sky opening.

Cloudy / shade

Bench and standing area in the same open shade or overcast light, facing one broad sky opening.

If sunny

Move this whole arrangement into open shade with a bright open sky in front; exclude dappled patches on faces. Keep the same composition.

Backlit

Only if sun is actually behind subjects: move until every face receives open-sky light, exclude the sun from the frame, tap a face and check exposure. If faces stay dark or flare obscures them, use open shade.

Capture

Make three frames, pause to check faces and edges, then capture a small expression variation.

Check the frame

• Bench too small for four
• Rear faces blocked
• Different brightness between rows

Comfortable alternative

If seating is wet, full or too narrow, use concept 10; never squeeze four onto inadequate seating.

2 people

Say to your subjects

“One person sits comfortably; the other stands beside and a little behind.”

“Let your shoulders relax.”

“Everyone bring your eyes toward me.”

A clean, dry accessible bench beside enough permitted level standing space; verify on arrival.

Exactly two teenagers: one comfortably seated on an ordinary public bench, one standing beside the bench, face slightly behind the seated face but fully clear. Seated feet grounded and own hands separately on own laps; standing feet stable with own arms down. Taller friends stand; torsos gently inward or toward lens; every face and gaze toward camera.

Landscape 4:3 full length; level phone near seated-eye height, 1× Photo about 4–5 m away; standing row within 0.4–0.6 m of seated faces.

Group lighting

Bench and standing area in the same open shade or overcast light, facing one broad sky opening.

Group checks

• Bench too small or wet
• Rear faces blocked
• Different brightness between rows

If seating is wet, narrow or uncomfortable, use a shallow standing arrangement on permitted ground with a clear gap for every face.

4 people

Say to your subjects

“Two friends sit comfortably; two stand behind with a clear gap for every face.”

“Let your shoulders relax.”

“Everyone bring your eyes toward me.”

A clean, dry accessible bench beside enough permitted level standing space; verify on arrival.

Exactly four teenagers: two seated comfortably on a public bench, two standing immediately behind, each rear head visible in a gap above a seated shoulder. Seated feet grounded and own hands separately on own laps; standing feet stable with own arms down. Taller friends stand; torsos gently inward or toward lens; every face and gaze toward camera.

Landscape 4:3 full length; level phone near seated-eye height, 1× Photo about 5–6 m away; standing row within 0.4–0.6 m of seated faces.

Group lighting

Bench and standing area in the same open shade or overcast light, facing one broad sky opening.

Group checks

• Bench too small or wet
• Rear faces blocked
• Different brightness between rows

If seating is wet, narrow or uncomfortable, use a shallow standing arrangement on permitted ground with a clear gap for every face.

8 people

Say to your subjects

“Four friends sit comfortably; four stand behind with a clear gap for every face.”

“Let your shoulders relax.”

“Everyone bring your eyes toward me.”

A clean, dry accessible bench beside enough permitted level standing space; verify on arrival.

Exactly eight teenagers: four seated on a sufficiently wide public bench, four standing immediately behind; rear heads visible in gaps above shoulders. Seated feet grounded and own hands separately on own laps; standing feet stable with own arms down. Taller friends stand; torsos gently inward or toward lens; every face and gaze toward camera.

Landscape 4:3 full length; level phone near seated-eye height, 1× Photo about 6–8 m away; standing row within 0.4–0.6 m of seated faces.

Group lighting

Bench and standing area in the same open shade or overcast light, facing one broad sky opening.

Group checks

• Bench too small for four
• Rear faces blocked
• Different brightness between rows

If seating is wet, narrow or uncomfortable, use a shallow standing arrangement on permitted ground with a clear gap for every face.