A Family Portrait

I have recently gotten a little more focused on photographing people. It is mostly family members. I have tried studio setting versus a more guided session outdoors. Having a hard time directing people to pose and knowing how to direct or place them into a pose. I feel the result is stiff and i feel stiff and awkward when requesting to pose. I give an idea of what to do and try to capture the moments I feel evoke the most emotions. I included colour photos, however, I have a preference for Black & White, as I feel the viewer can focuse more on the emotions the photo evoke instead of the details of the photo.