Why I love Extended Family Photo Sessions


As a family photographer, I personally love extended family photo sessions. Although the amount of people in a multigenerational session can make it a little more challenging, overall it's one of my favorite types of sessions to capture and here's why:

A large family group stands together outdoors in winter wearing coordinated casual outfits in neutral colors.
Three people wearing casual sweaters smile together outdoors on a snowy winter day in the woods.
Young woman in a white lace top and jeans poses in a snowy wooded setting.
A small child in a brown gingham dress with matching bow taking first steps while holding hands in support.
A family sharing a joyful moment together in a snowy winter forest setting.
A group stands together conversing in a snowy winter forest setting with bare trees in the background.
A young couple poses back-to-back in casual attire against a wintry forest backdrop with snow on the ground.
Four people wearing cozy winter sweaters stand together outdoors in a snowy wooded setting on a winter day.
A group of friends and family pose together outdoors in winter against a backdrop of bare trees and snowy ground.
A large extended family gathers for a group portrait in a snowy wooded setting during winter.
A group of people in casual attire smiling and interacting outdoors in a black and white forest setting.

Capturing the Complete Family Story


One of the things I love most about these sessions is the chance to capture the complete family story. It’s beautiful to see the legacy and love passed down through generations, from grandkids to grandparents and sometimes even great-grandparents.

Family portrait outdoors with grandparents and four young children on a grassy lawn with trees in background.
A wedding party holding hands and running along a lakeside lawn at sunset with mountains in the background.
Joyful children running and playing on a grassy lawn while family members watch from behind.
A small child wearing a light colored shirt stands in a wooden doorway holding chalk.
Children playing together on a lawn in front of a rustic wooden deck and porch.
Young children in cozy sweaters embrace a friendly white Labrador retriever on green grass during autumn.
A touching family moment outdoors with a small child being kissed by both parents against a green background.
Tender moment between an elderly couple standing on a lakeside dock during sunset.
Four laughing young siblings sitting together on wooden steps wearing coordinated light-colored outfits.
A multi-generational family portrait taken outdoors in a garden setting with trees in the background.
A family enjoying quality time together on a grassy lawn near leafy trees in a garden setting.

The Dynamics of Large Groups


Working with large groups can be a challenge, but it’s a challenge I truly enjoy. Maybe it's coming from a big extended family myself, but I thrive in energetic environments. Coordinating a group for a shot requires patience and some creativity. I guide each session to make sure everyone feels comfortable and looks their best. Whether it’s arranging the group by family units, generations, or even the cousins old to youngest, each session is a fun, dynamic puzzle to work with and solve.

A couple shares a candid moment outdoors wearing fall attire with a brown and olive green color scheme.
Couple sharing happy moment together outdoors in fall with green shrubs and warm sunset lighting.
Multi-generational family sitting together on outdoor porch steps in casual clothing.
Four children lying on blue cushions with heads together in a circle formation.
Children sitting on the floor playing with colorful toys and games in a living room setting.
An American flag hangs beside a blue-gray house with white trim while two people sit together on the front porch steps.
Children sitting on carpet playing with colorful building blocks and toys together.
Couple sharing an intimate moment while sitting on front porch steps of a house.
A family shares a joyful moment laughing together while sitting on outdoor patio steps.
Four small children sit together on outdoor steps smiling and laughing while wearing cozy winter clothing.

The Playful Moments


Extended family sessions are never dull! They are filled with playful moments, especially when cousins get together, or when grandparents interact with their grandchildren. These sessions allow for candid shots that often become family favorites, cherished for their spontaneity and genuine emotion. One prompt I love to give is having the adult children run towards their parents and give them a hug. At first they feel awkward, but it let's them loosen up and have some fun!

Two people embrace while standing between white decorative pillars with a historic colonial-style house in the background.
Three friends stand together outdoors in a garden setting wearing casual summer outfits.
A couple stands in front of a rustic black building with a large arched white window and flowering garden.
Two friends in summer dresses sit together smiling on a stone wall bench near a decorative garden planter.
A diverse group of friends standing together outdoors on a sunny day wearing casual summer attire.
Three people pose in front of a historic white colonial mansion with towering brick chimneys and an ornate garden archway.
Two young women share a joyful embrace outdoors with yellow flowers and green foliage in the background.
Three friends holding hands while walking together and laughing on a stone path in a lush green park setting.
A group of friends stand together laughing and embracing by a serene lake surrounded by greenery on a summer day.
Four people sit together on a rustic stone wall in front of a weathered barn with flowers and greenery around them.

Preserving Memories


For many families, gathering everyone together is a rare occasion and having photos to remember these moments is invaluable. It’s such an honor to create these keepsakes that will be looked back on for generations!

A group of people enjoying a scenic moment on a lakeside beach with mountains in the background.
A group of people in casual attire pose together outdoors with trees in background.
A parent and child play together on a sandy beach shoreline at sunset.
A child in a gray sweatshirt smiles while laying on a rock at the beach.
A person jumps off a wooden dock into a lake with a pontoon boat visible in the background on a summer day.
An adult and small child walk hand-in-hand along a beach shoreline with boats docked in the distance.
A group of people walking along a sandy beach bordered by pine trees with mountains in the background.
A couple stands together on a dock overlooking a lake with boats and mountains in the distance.
A group in coordinated blue and neutral outfits walking along a lake shore beach with pine trees and a cabin in summer.
Couple standing together next to colorful kayak storage rack in outdoor wooded setting.
A happy family laughs together while sitting on a wooden bench outdoors in a park.
Grandparents sharing loving kisses with their giggling grandchild outdoors in a garden setting.