Many photographers shudder at the thought of extended family photos, but to me, they’re a thrill. There are so many different personalities and so much potential for spontaneity and honest delight. All it takes is the right prep and energy to set the tone. Take these sessions to the backyard of a home where the core family grew up together and it’s even more special.
Portraits vs. Candid in Extended Family Sessions
Directing extended family sessions can be a unique challenge, but that’s why I go into these with a plan (like I do with all my sessions!). I aim to make quick work of the “must-get” shots, including portraits of family units, breakdowns of kids, cousins, siblings, grandparents, etc. Even though these aren’t necessarily the most “artistic” or “emotive” types of shots, I recognize how valuable they are. Families love these classic shots of everyone all together for a reason – I would, too! So I always make portraits a priority, while still doing my best to keep them relaxed and smiles genuine.
The real magic is what happens in between.
How grandma always has smarties in her pocket to pass around.
Grandpa’s honest laugh.
The tickle fights and side-bar hide and seek games and chicken feeding and holding hands from one place to another.
Both portraits and candids are important elements to storytelling the success of extended family photos. It means the world to clients, especially when they live far away from one another. Often, getting together only happens once a year or less.
Capturing these connections is a true gift, and tuning into both the skills of natural posing and documenting lends to galleries that have equal parts classic and true.
For more examples of how I approach extended family sessions, check out this session of a small family of all adults in the backyard.
Featured: A Charlottesville extended family session
Working with large groups in Extended Family Sessions
Photographing large groups (like this crew of 23!) requires a healthy mix of flexibility and direction. While preparing for the session, I always tell families to go in with an open attitude and remind them that our goal is not classic perfection – it’s capturing joy and togetherness.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that excellence and calmness or compliance are the same thing – but when the goal of the photos is to capture joy and togetherness, we can more easily let our hair down and play more openly.
When there are lots of young kids, I generally try to move through portraits right at the start – things like the whole group together and smaller breakdowns of each family. We keep things simple and moving (and treats are never a bad idea!). I like to include playful prompts and games to keep it interesting as well.
Including activity and special locations for extended family sessions
I also like to prod the family for any meaningful elements of the location or activities they like to do together. I’ve had extended families play yard games like croquet, cornhole, and cricket, make gin and tonics, play a game of backyard baseball, and gather around a campfire with hot dogs and guitars – all as part of their extended family sessions.
For this family, the old wooden barn at the edge of the lane held lots of memories and because the matriarchs were getting ready to sell the farm, it was special to make photos in that space and around the animals the kids loved.
If you’re interested in working with me for extended family photos that feel honest, fun, and true – let’s do it! Reach out here to get the ball rolling. You can see more of my extended family work here.
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Charlottesville outdoor family photos with a baby
