Get the family to walk around for more natural photographs. If there are young children, come down to their level to take the pictures.
Make it an enjoyable experience so they forget they're having their photos taken!
Look at the background – are there any telegraph poles or trees (make sure they don't appear to be coming out of someone's head!)
Think of the position of the sun. Are you making people look directly into it? Are they struggling to keep their eyes open for a long time?
Use the door frame of an outbuilding or shed in your photograph - It helps people relax and make them position themselves naturally. It also helps frame the photo!
A simple trick is to think of triangles. Don't photograph faces in straight rows. Vary the heights of the faces to create more interest. The eyes tend to love angles!
