Family photo shoots can be torturous, and the results prove it: A head is missing, Mom's chin resembles a pack of hot dogs, or the baby looks like devil spawn. To get the family at its best, you don't need to hire professionals, but you do need to take their advice. Before you begin:

A fancy camera is not required. Look for a 35-millimeter point-and-shoot with a flash and a good lens.

Make friends with your camera, which unfortunately means reading the manual. For example, your camera could, with the flip of a switch, add the date to a print.

Don't scrimp on film. Professionals might use 20 rolls to get one shot.

Good moods lead to good pictures.

Compose the Pose

Don't obsess over the minutiae of the mise-en-scene ("I wish that sofa were velvet, not brocade"), but be aware of what you see in the frame.

Background

Big groups work best outdoors, where your family won't look crowded by walls or as if they're being detained in a Tijuana jailhouse.

Keep backgrounds uncluttered: Leaves, flowers, and other greenery are fine. Road signs or someone else's family huddled around a hibachi aren't. Stay away from walls that have lots of decorations, or remove them before the shoot.

Make sure there isn't a branch or a sconce that seems to be sprouting from someone's head.

Don't cram too many things into one frame. If you're at the Grand Canyon and want a family photo, skip the sweeping vista and shoot the family up close.

Foreground

To avoid replicating your fourth-grade class picture, don't line up your subjects in rows. Ask them to arrange themselves in a natural pose — the goal is to be fluid, not rigid. Have everyone sit on the slope of the front yard and pull in close for an intimate feel. Do not build a pyramid.

Check to see if anyone's face is obstructed. Ask everyone if he or she can see you, then make sure all faces — not just eyes — are visible.

Strive for energy and movement, which conveys interaction. An easy way to do this is to let the family dog or cat — or the baby or toddler — wander around the group freely. A breeze through hair or wind in the trees will also add movement. And laughter evokes the most energy.

Behind the camera

Flatter your subjects. Take pictures at face level or from slightly above, so your subjects don't look chinny...or triple chinny.

If you're using a timer, designate the spot where you'll jump in so you don't have to elbow your way in as you would on a crowded subway.

You've Got the Look

You can't dictate how your family should look in a photo (and they would seem wooden if you did), but you can set a few ground rules. Ask them not to wear patterned clothes and gently suggest tops in various shades of the same color (without looking too Mandrell Sisters). Let your kids be their own personal stylists; they'll look more comfortable and scowl less. Plus, it will be more representative of who they were at that moment (think about your own crimped hair in the 80s).

Light My Way

Lighting, whether natural or with a flash, can make or break picture quality. So unless you're a personal friend of the sun, here's what you need to know:

Outdoor lighting is perfect during what professionals call the "magic hours" — right after dawn or before sunset — though your family is more apt to find magic in the latter.

Even if there's enough light to take the picture, set your camera's flash to Fill or On so that it can compensate for shadowy areas.

Shoot with the sun behind you (the photographer) so your subjects don't appear in silhouette, but make sure they're not squinting.

When it comes to film, a higher speed isn't always better. For non-grainy images with rich color, 100- or 200-speed film works both outdoors and indoors with a flash.