There's a moment at a wedding when Sondra shows her same-day slideshow. And when the group composite appears on screen, the room goes silent. Guests lean in. The venue coordinator pulls out their phone. The couple grabs each other's arm. Because what they're looking at shouldn't be possible. But it is.

The composite technique, blending multiple exposures into one finished image in Photoshop, unlocks a level of lighting drama that simply cannot be achieved in a single frame. In this in-depth tutorial, Sondra walks you through her entire process: from her equipment and camera settings, through to how she directs her subjects, fires her lights and then brings everything together in post. She even covers how to do it without a tripod, because on the cut and thrust of a real wedding day, you don't always have time to grab one.

The result? Group portraits that are different from anything else your clients have ever seen. Dark, dramatic, jaw-dropping images that light each subject beautifully whilst leaving the background moody and atmospheric. The kind of images that win awards, get shared, and make people ask: how did they do that?

This is the tutorial that will completely change what you thought was possible with group photography. 🏆

Top 5 Things You Will Learn

1. What a group composite is and why it produces images nothing else can: Understand the creative principle behind this technique, why it creates such a unique quality of light, and the specific look it achieves that would be impossible in a single exposure.
2. The full equipment and settings breakdown: From the lights and modifiers Sondra uses to her camera settings and how she manages her assistants during the shoot, you'll know exactly how to set this up yourself.
3. How to direct a group through the process: Find out how Sondra manages her subjects during a composite shoot, keeps the energy high, and gets everyone in the right place, even when they're confused about what's happening.
4. Shooting composites without a tripod: Discover the clever Photoshop trick Sondra uses to perfectly align images shot handheld, so missed moments during setup never cost you the shot.
5. Same-day editing for maximum impact: Learn how Sondra edits and delivers composite images at the wedding itself, and why presenting these on a slideshow creates unforgettable moments for couples and guests alike.

Sondra's equipment

Geekoto GT200's - save 10% at checkout with the code 'FLASHMASTERS' 

MagMod MagBox Pro 24" Octa - save 5% on all MagMod products using the code 'NEILREDFERN'

MagMod Pro Gels Bundle

Cheetah Stands - get 10% off at checkout using the code 'FLASHMASTERS'

Impact QuickStik+ Telescopic Handle

Follow Sondra on Instagram, Facebook and Tik-Tok

Join Sondra's Facebook photography education group - Shooting Your Shot | Photography Education | Sondra LaRay's Photography

Want to watch a full breakdown of one of Sondra's most iconic group composite portraits? Check out her amazing 'Snapshot' here! All of our Snapshots are free for all to watch. 

Ready to learn how to edit a composite portrait? Check out the full tutorial here!