[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Mary,

I'm sorry to hear the sad news about Bailey. I just saw this post, otherwise I would have tried to reply earlier.

My suggestion would be to take some quick preliminary shots. Don't even get the kids dressed in what they would be wearing in the 'real' photo. Try some different poses, I would try all kinds of combinations. Try the porch, the steps, and then the wicker furniture. At this point I wouldn't care if one child is looking off one way, or another is pinching somebody else (!). This is just to get the lighting and composition figured out, the body shapes and sizes grouped somehow that is pleasing to you.

Then I would study those photographs, or post some of them on the forum, and see which elements you like about the different photos. I would be glad to help. Then try a second round of photos with everybody. I know this sounds like a lot of 'photo shoots', but I'm thinking it's a 10 minute session with the kids wearing whatever they have on.

When you have the composition and the lighting all decided (time of day and the place where you'll shoot from), then have them all dress up and take the photos.

Hope this helps,

Joan