Botero #035 CollapsibleBackground (5x7') (Black)

Above what others have said, you'd need to rest the background on a horizontal surface near waist height or use 2 light stands with clamps to hold the background vertical. If the family are different heights, then sitting position for adults and lap sitting or standing for children or some combination to minimize height differences for torso shots. Since the backdrop have 'rounded' corners, you really have to watch the cropping & edges. Good luck.

Linda - The Botero collapsable background in dark grey , product #023 will probably be darker than the solid gray you bought. I use the mottled background that contains the dark grey as well as other lighter tones and the dark gray is quite dark. A word of caution - these are thin fabrics, so your lighting set up is important to how the background will look. I had mine in front of a window for some head shots for a client and the light came right through the fabric. It was a good reminder that photography is about the light!

Hi LindaBackgrounds typically have 1 strap on the top as you can most likely see in the pictures.We use a Manfrotto 175 Spring Clamp B&H # MA175 MFR # 175 $14.50Or this looks the sameImpact Large Clip Clamp with 5/8 Receptor and 3/8 Female Threads B&H # IMCC101 MFR # CC-101 $12.95This fits the light stand and holds the background in place. We use 1 clamp and 1 stand but you could use 2 of each and hold it at the sides if you want to hold it in a particular way.The clamps are very useful to have as they also have a threaded part which can be used to hold portable flash.I hope this helps.Ken

Yes, the lighter gray side is lightly mottled, while the darker side seems solid

Im not sure about using an iron (it may melt/burn the material) A steamer will work, but the water from the steam will stain it. I ran into this problem too. I used a steamer and had an obvious stain in the area I applied the steamer. To fix the stain I opened the background up and hosed it entirely down in the shower and let it air dry before collapsing.