Photographing large groups of people is easy

Capturing 30-40 people in an image can be a feat of artisty, rather than a sardine line-up. And it can be fun.

If a photographer thinks out of the box, he or she can design an image that isn't the typical view from the company's roofline or the squeezed in crowd positioned on top a nearby football stand.

With a little ingenuity, some budget and the skill of retouching, one can meet the assignment with an image that is refreshing, fun and artistic. There is no reason why professionals can't be positioned like Hollywood celebrities. Afterall, many professionals are celebrities in their own right within their fields.

Recently, we were assigned to capture St. Peter's University Hospital's breast cancer treatment team, consisting of re-knowned physicians, technicians, and researchers. Our client, based in New Brunswick, NJ, asked that we create an interesting image that reflected the significance of these professionals.

The image shown shows the outcome of the assignment. Adding to the complexity of the shot, we had to shoot six people two weeks after the first shoot and add them in. Can you find the six we added? We defy you to be able. Careful planning, measuring and designing of the second shoot makes that exercise seemingly impossible.