Destination group photos face 3 major challenges: lighting, posing and background. Lighting is a technical issue to be solved by the Photographer, and posing is commonly solved by using available stairs, chairs and/or risers – so that everyone is visible.  The problem is that those are usually NOT in front of the spectacular background scene that your guests are expecting. When there is no good natural background for your photo, that’s when a little digital magic can help save the day.

Using a software technique called Masking, we combine the group photo with a new background scene. Usually this replacement background image is a local scene that we’ve shot for the specific photo, as we did for the Scottsdale CVB FAM earlier this week (above).  We can also purchase a stock image online, as we did for their program last year (below).  In this example, using the signature event image as the backdrop for the souvenir group photo also provided an extra measure of continuity.

Digital backgrounds aren’t just for group photos.  Earlier this month, we added a desert scene into the background of some outdoor awards photos that had to be shot after dark.  We replaced the black void with a perfect sunset view that had disappeared long before the awards program started.  If you need to mass-produce dozens or even hundreds of images, then a GreenScreen backdrop and specialty software is the best solution – but that’s another blog.

Masking-in a spectacular background takes a little extra time and skill, but the result will be a real “wow” for your guests.  However, not all Photographers offer this service, so be sure to confirm availability and rate in advance.