
Extended family photo sessions are a fantastic way to preserve precious memories with your favorite people. By bringing your loved ones together for a professional photoshoot, you’ll create a gallery of images that celebrates everything about who you are as a family and will serve as a piece of your legacy to share with future generations.
Why Book an Extended Family Photo Session?
Ugh, SO MANY reasons! Here are the reasons I personally think extended family photoshoots are a must-have experience:
Preserving Family History: Family photos are a tangible way to document your family’s history. They can be passed down through generations and provide a visual story of the connections, joy, and love you share.
Strengthening (And Celebrating!) Your Relationships: Spending quality time together and creating shared experiences can help strengthen the bonds you share. A photo session is a great opportunity to connect with loved ones you might not see all the time and make lasting memories together.
Capturing Milestones Moments: Whether it’s a milestone birthday, anniversary, or holiday, a family photo session can be a beautiful way to commemorate special occasions.
Creating Family Heirlooms: Professional family photos can be turned into beautiful wall art, photo albums, or digital keepsakes that can be passed down through your family for years and years to come!
Planning Your Extended Family Photo Session
Planning an extended family photo session can seem daunting with so many people involved, but with a little organization, I promise the process can feel fun! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Choose a Date and Time: Select a date and time that works for everyone in your family. Make sure you think about factors such as holidays, vacations, and work schedules.
Assign a Coordinator: Designate ONE person to be the primary coordinator. This is crucial to creating a streamlined experience! This person will be responsible for scheduling, communicating with the photographer, and coordinating with family members.
Choose a Location: Select a photo spot that’s convenient and accessible for all family members. It’s important to consider any physical limitations people have, the time of year, weather conditions if you’re interested in an outdoor session, and the overall aesthetic you’re going for.
Coordinate Outfits: Did you notice how I didn’t say “Match your outfits!” Rather than picking outfits that look almost identical, coordinating your outfits can create a cohesive look. Choose a color palette that compliments the location and season and build from there—many families like to choose neutral or soft colors, and then you can play with shirts/pants, dresses, skirts, subtle patterns, etc.
Communicate with Your Photographer: Discuss your vision for the photo session with your photographer. Share any specific requests or ideas, such as family groupings or poses.
Focus on Both Posed Photos And Candid Moments
While posed photos are important and your photographer will make absolutely sure you get the shots you want, candid moments can capture the true essence of your family. In the last 15-20 minutes of your photo session, encourage everyone to relax and just focus on enjoying each other’s company. Let the kids play, the adults laugh, and your photographer will capture these genuine moments. Candid shots are often the favorites because they show the unique personalities within your family and highlight how much you love each other.
Are you ready to book your extended family photo sesh? Here’s what to do next:
- Visit my Family & Portraits page to learn all about the packages I offer
- See if you connect with my style on the Family & Portraits portfolio page
- Head to my contact page and reach out (or book your spot using my scheduler) to get your family photo session on the books!