What to expect at an extended family photo session
An extended family session is a wonderful way to capture the love and connection shared across generations. Whether it’s a family reunion or simply a special time together, these sessions create lasting memories. One of the most important and sometimes challenging parts of preparing for your family session is choosing the right outfits for everyone. That’s why I created a detailed styling guide to help you coordinate your family’s look from head to toe.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know—from planning tips and choosing the perfect location to ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience. With thoughtful preparation and the right photographer, your session will be filled with genuine moments and beautiful portraits your family will treasure forever.
What is an extended family session
Extended family photo sessions are often a highlight of family vacations, reunions, or any meaningful gathering. Unlike a regular session that focuses on your immediate family— just you, your partner, and children—an extended family session includes additional loved ones. Whether it’s grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, or even close friends who feel like family, these sessions allow you to document the special connections across generations.
Where should I plan my extended family session to be
It's important to trust your photographer’s expertise and select from suggested locations that are guaranteed to photograph beautifully. When planning your session, consider the ages and needs of all family members, as well as any walking distances required to reach the location. For larger families, open spaces with minimal distractions work best, providing plenty of room for natural interactions while keeping the focus on your family’s unique connections.
I’m always open to capturing your family in a location that holds special meaning to you. Whether it’s your family estate, a farm, ranch, favorite beach, or vacation home, these cherished places can add an extra layer of sentiment to your photos. The possibilities are endless—so be sure to share your ideas and wishes when booking your session to create a truly personalized experience.
Preparing for an extended family photo session: 5 simple steps
Coordinating an extended family photo session can feel like a big task—especially when you're the one making it all happen! But with a little planning and these 5 easy steps, you'll set everyone up for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Get everyone excited
Inspire your family by sharing the photographer’s portfolio and expressing how excited you are to create beautiful memories together. Seeing stunning examples can help everyone look forward to their own special session.
Coordinate outfits.
Once your session is booked, start planning wardrobe choices early. A cohesive look elevates your photos, so take advantage of helpful resources—like this detailed blog post on what to wear for large family sessions—and share them with your family to keep everyone on the same page. Don’t forget that I provide an access to a Style and Select App to all my clients. This website will style your entire family from head to toe in minutes!
Make a list of must-have shots.
Every family member may have different ideas about what’s important to capture, so discuss key shots in advance and create a list. Sharing this with your photographer ensures no special moment is missed.
Share important details.
Family dynamics are unique, and it’s helpful to communicate any special considerations to your photographer. Whether it's honoring a loved one after an illness, accommodating children with special needs, or being mindful of blended family dynamics, sharing this insight helps create a more comfortable and thoughtful experience for everyone.
Keep your family in the loop.
Make sure to pass along all session details and helpful tips to your family. I’ll provide important reminders—like emptying pockets or leaving sun glasses home—that can make a big difference. The more everyone knows beforehand, the smoother the session will be.
How does an extended family session work
It’s super easy and fun! Over the years, I’ve developed a seamless workflow that ensures we capture all the important moments beautifully. But I need your help! Having one person coordinate the group and share a list of must-have photos ahead of time will help everything run smoothly.
Here’s what to expect during your session:
1. Full group portraits
We’ll kick things off with group photos while everyone is fresh and excited. I’ll take a mix of formal and fun shots to capture both classic and candid moments.
2. Group combinations
Next, we'll move on to smaller groupings based on your preferences. This is the perfect time for special shots like grandparents with grandkids, siblings together, spouses, men-only, women-only, and any other combinations that are meaningful to your family. Having a list ready in advance will help us make the most of our time.
3. Individual family units
Each family unit (partner and their children if any) will have their own dedicated time—about 20 minutes—to capture their photographs. Thanks to this wonderful add-on you will leave this photo session with a beautiful gallery of your own family as well!
4. Candid Moments
This is my favorite part of the session! I’ll step back and blend into the background, capturing those in-between moments that truly reflect your family’s personality—whether it’s skipping rocks, climbing logs, or simply holding hands. I’ll follow the little ones as they play, capturing natural portraits that show their unique spirit. Grown-ups are welcome to have their portraits taken too, if desired. This is also a great time to squeeze in any additional group shots you might have in mind, ensuring we capture every moment that matters.
5. Final group shots at sunset
We’ll wrap up the session by gathering everyone once more to capture a few final group photos with the golden glow of the sunset, ensuring we end on a perfect note.
How long does an extended family session last
I typically reserve around 90 minutes or more for extended family sessions, depending on the number of people involved. This allows plenty of time to capture a variety of group shots, individual family portraits, and candid moments without feeling rushed. My goal is to ensure everyone feels comfortable and has fun while we document your family.
“Eva was personable, professional and an incredible photographer. She has an eye for the best lighting and the beauty in everyone as an individual or the whole.
My daughter was fussy and pouty for our session and Eva rolled with it and still got a couple incredible shots. She was patient and excellent with our 3 very young, rambunctious kids. The turnaround to get the photos was super fast and I am still so impressed at her talent! Even her website for viewing our photos was user friendly. We will absolutely be using her again in the future.” - Renee
How much does a photo session for a large family cost
The cost of an extended family session is structured as follows: $650 + $200 per additional family unit. When you reach out, please provide details on who will be attending the session, and I’ll calculate the total cost for you. You can also refer to my pricing guide for more details.
For example, if the grandparents have three sons, and each son is married with children, the total session cost would be:
$650 + (3 x $200) = $1,150.
What’s included in the price
Your package includes my personal assistance with styling—plus a free access to the Style and Select app—along with expert location guidance, a signed contract, and a print release, giving you full printing rights to all your photos.
This all-inclusive package means that within just two weeks of your session, you'll receive a beautifully curated online gallery with at least 80 professionally hand-edited images (depending on the number of attendees). Your gallery will be easy to share with family, and you'll also have the option to order high-quality professional prints directly from there if you choose.
How to book the right photographer for a large family session
Choosing the right photographer for your extended family session is so important! Capturing a group of 10+ people—often with little ones, grandparents, and even furry babies—requires a special set of skills and experience. You’ll want someone who can handle it all with ease and care.
An experienced photographer knows how to engage with everyone, manage different personalities, and capture all the must-have shots effortlessly. They can also help you choose outfits that complement the whole group and select a location that fits your family's dynamic. Beyond technical skills, it's important to work with someone who brings patience, energy, and the ability to keep things running smoothly while making sure everyone feels seen and valued.
Multi-generation photographs are some of the most meaningful, and I absolutely love creating them. My very first paid shoot was with a large family, and since then, I’ve had years of experience capturing these priceless moments! To secure your session date, fill out my inquiry form and let me know who will be joining you so I can send a personalized quote. Be sure to share why this session is special to you—I love hearing your story!
I can’t wait to connect and start planning your session!
Get to know your photographer!
It’s important to get along with your photographer! I’m a super laid-back, calm and patient person when it comes to the photo shoots. I have been photographing families for 6 years and it quickly became a passion of mine. If you want to read more about my (not only photography) journey, click the button below.
