What a great thread - Patty, I'm so glad you got this commission! I just have an additional couple of thoughts:
- If you end up doing a group portrait, you might consider having the children doing something together or having a focal point revolving around an object. Alex Tyng did this recently and I think she was very successful.
- Again, if you're doing a group shot, be very aware of body language in the children: which ones push each other away, which ones like to be held - any clues to relationship to one another will resonate in your composition.
- To me, there is a marked distinction between "formal" and "informal" family compositions - it is good to get clear understandings about this from the client before the shoot. Clothing sometimes (not always) helps determine the flavor of the composition.
I hope you post your results here!