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Saturday I meet with the clients to discuss setting, personalities of kids, customer preferences, clothing, etc.
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Another way to say this is: I'm going to meet with the clients to inform them of my preferences for clothing and settings, etc..
This might sound a little harsh, but the more of this you can control the better off you will be. Answer in your own mind what
your preferences are then lead them in that direction.
I shudder to think about getting four children in sync. A few things that come to mind are: vary the depth and height of the subjects. And in that regard be careful not to have too narrow of a depth of field - more of a landscape setting. Arrange them so that you have one or two facing into the group in profile. Have an assistant available, preferably not the parent. Discuss with the assistant the type of assistance you will need before hand, and the speed in which you will need it (in and out of the frame quickly). Have as much of this worked out in your mind as you can and work toward at least one good predetermined composition .
When you give these matters up to the parents your asking for trouble. If they are insistant about some pose tell them that you will get to that also.
Once you get all the cats herded - snap a bunch. They will be in constant motion so worry more about their overall position instead of trying to get all to present the perfect expression in unison. It probably won't happen. But you may be able to get each one, apart from what the others may be doing. Work
your best plan to death.
Sometimes a couch works well for varying the heights and posittions: the seat cushion, the arm, standing against the back cushion, etc. You may need to drag a couch into your light.
Nice light on the faces above!