Extended family sessions offer a wonderful way to capture multiple generations and preserve the unique dynamics that make your family one of a kind. From grandparents to little ones, these sessions bring everyone together for a series of memorable portraits that highlight your family’s love and connection. If you’re planning an extended family session, here’s what to know about coordinating outfits, choosing the best poses, and creating a smooth, enjoyable experience for everyone.

Planning Ahead: Preparation is Key

The first step to a successful extended family session is planning. Extended family sessions involve many people, so it’s helpful to prepare in advance to ensure a seamless experience. Here’s how to get organized:

Choose a Location Everyone Will Enjoy: Pick a place that has enough space for everyone to relax and spread out, like a beach, park, or family home. Locations with natural beauty or meaningful connections often make for the best backdrops.

Select a Time That Works for All Ages: If you have both young children and older adults, choose a time when everyone will feel their best. Late afternoon or early evening is often ideal, especially outdoors, as it provides flattering natural light and accommodates most energy levels.

Plan for a Mixture of Groupings: Extended family sessions are about capturing everyone together, but they’re also a great chance to get individual family units and special pairings, like grandparents with grandchildren or all the siblings together. Planning ahead allows us to make sure we capture each combination that’s important to you.

Coordinating Outfits: Creating a Cohesive Look

When it comes to dressing for an extended family session, you want outfits that complement each other without looking too “matchy.” Here’s how to find the perfect balance:

Start with a Color Palette: Pick a few colors as the base palette — think earth tones, neutrals, or pastels, depending on your family’s style and the season. A cohesive palette allows everyone to shine individually while still looking unified as a group.

Add Texture and Layers: Mixing textures, like denim, knits, or linen, can add depth to your photos without overwhelming the scene. Simple layers, like cardigans or scarves, can help add variety and interest to each outfit.

Avoid Bold Patterns or Logos: Bold patterns and logos can be distracting in photos, especially when there’s a large group. Stick to subtle patterns like soft stripes or small florals if you want a bit of print. Simple clothing helps keep the focus on faces and connections.

Encourage a Mix of Styles: Within your color palette, everyone can choose clothing that reflects their personal style, whether it’s a dress, button-down shirt, or relaxed sweater. This keeps everyone comfortable and feeling like themselves.

Must-Have Poses for Extended Family Sessions

Extended family sessions offer a variety of posing opportunities to showcase relationships and personalities. Here are some of our favorite poses that bring out the best in every generation:

1. Full Group Portrait

The full group shot is essential for an extended family session. To keep it natural, we arrange everyone so they’re close but comfortable, often standing with children or seated adults in front. We’ll also ensure there’s a mix of heights and ages to give a sense of balance and harmony in the photo.

2. Generational Photos

Photos of each generation — grandparents, parents, and children — are meaningful additions to your gallery. For example, a shot of grandparents with all their grandchildren creates a beautiful image that everyone will treasure.

3. Family Unit Portraits

Each family unit should have a portrait to remember the session by. These photos allow individual families to shine and create memories they’ll enjoy on their own as well as within the larger family collection.

4. Couples and Special Pairings

Capturing couples, siblings, or parent-child pairings highlights the relationships within the family. Photos of grandparents together, all the siblings sharing a laugh, or a mother with her daughter can add depth and emotion to the gallery.

5. Fun Candid Moments

Encouraging playfulness brings out the joy and natural interactions that make family portraits special. We’ll incorporate some candid moments, whether it’s children playing in the sand or everyone sharing a laugh, to create a relaxed, spontaneous feel in your photos.

Tips for a Smooth Session

Extended family sessions can be a lot of fun, but they also involve a bit of coordination. Here are a few tips to keep things running smoothly and help everyone enjoy the experience:

Allow Plenty of Time: Extended family sessions may take a bit longer than regular family sessions to account for different groupings and ages. Allowing extra time keeps the pace relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.

Involve Kids in the Fun: Younger children may feel a bit overwhelmed with a big group, so we like to make sure they’re involved and having fun. Small activities or games help keep them engaged, creating more natural expressions.

Be Flexible: With large family sessions, flexibility is key! We work to capture a variety of images while keeping the mood light. Extended family sessions are about enjoying time together, so we prioritize capturing authentic moments over perfect poses.

Embrace the Variety of an Extended Family Session

One of the best things about extended family sessions is the variety they offer. From formal portraits to playful candids, these sessions allow us to capture the range of emotions, relationships, and personalities that make up your family. With so many combinations to choose from, you’ll leave with a gallery full of images that tell the story of your family in a way that’s unique and personal.

Book Your Extended Family Session Today

An extended family session offers a special chance to capture the love, connection, and legacy that tie your family together. From coordinating outfits to making sure we capture each special pairing, our team is here to make the experience seamless and enjoyable. Ready to create memories with your entire family? Book your extended family session with us today and let’s capture the moments that matter most.