GREAT GROUP SNAP SHOTS ARE WITHIN YOUR REACH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A FEW EASY TIPS

MILWAUKEE, WI (August 20, 2008) -- Thousands of group photos are taken every holiday season and many of them don't turn out as the photographer had hoped. But taking a group photo doesn't have to be tricky. While there will always be challenges with taking pictures of a group, there are a number of things you can do to help improve your chances of getting the shot you're after.

"One very important rule when taking a group picture is to use your flash," says Joy Vertz, Founder of Shoot the Moon Photography in Mequon, WI. "When photographing numerous people, it is inevitable that the lighting on someone will not be great. When you use your flash, the light is more evenly distributed over the entire group."

Another important rule is to try and get everyone close together. It may feel a little funny to have a lot of people in a small area, but the photo will look great once it's taken. A good place to assemble your group is all the way up the staircase or on the sofa - perched on the back, on the seats and armrests as well as on the floor in front of the couch.

"Be sure to communicate to your group what you're doing," adds Vertz. "If you want them to stand, sit, kneel, look in a certain direction or wait a minute until Uncle Ned gets in the picture, let them know what's going on."

One of the best ways to avoid the problem of not everyone looking just right in a picture is to take multiple shots quickly. After the first few pictures, the group usually looks a little less posed and a little more relaxed. If you're shooting with a digital camera, take as many pictures as quickly as you can. Just delete what doesn't turn out.

"What you need to remember is you should be about the moment, not all about the perfect picture, says Vertz". "After all, everyone's together…and isn't that what the holidays are all about?"

Shoot the Moon Photography is a distinctive fine art portraiture studio in Mequon, Wisconsin and has been named Milwaukee's top photography studio by WISN Channel 12 for 2007. One of the largest and most upscale studios in the Midwest, the studio offers unique, photojournalistic portrait sessions for maternity, infants, children, seniors, families, and weddings. Shoot the Moon also provides distinctive services including artist renditions; custom handbags, jewelry, stationery, and greeting cards; as well as private runway experiences. For more information, call 262-240-9848