Extended family portrait sessions are quite popular. Whether it is a gift for grandma, a milestone birthday present, to celebrate an anniversary or a gift for the holidays, this photo session is one that is a gift for all family members. Think about it…when was the last time you got together for a family portrait? In my family, the last time was my brother’s wedding over a decade earlier, which was pre kids. I am guessing the same holds true in your family.

large group family photos at an arboretum in the Fall

Why Schedule an Extended Family Portrait Session?

I get it. You want to schedule that photo session, but the idea of getting the grandchildren to sit still and stare at the camera is daunting. You don’t want rigid photos and you are looking for something fresh and different. Well, my friend…you have come to the right place. My approach to family photo sessions is far from rigid. It is based on having fun and connecting with your family members. Much like my standard family sessions, an extended family session is focused on capturing your family’s relationship. I aim to capture those polished portraits for grandma, but I keep things moving and fun for the little ones in the family. I only ask them to sit still for a few seconds at a time and I do so in a way that makes it playful and engaging for the kids. The end result is a blend of posed and ore candid imagery.

little boy and girl running through a historic building and family portrait of a family in an arboretum

What is the Difference between a Family session and An extended family session?

Although my approach to both is similar, there are some differences. Most clients come to the session with a list of requested poses/groupings. Let’s face it, grandmas want photos with everyone looking at the camera. Although I am going to capture connection and keep the session light and fun, there is a bit more posing involved with a multi generational family portrait session. I will capture all of the requested groupings my clients want, but I also make sure to take the time to sprinkle in some relaxed, candid and interactive images too. This means that grandma is happy with her traditional eyes on camera images and you are happy because you have your emotive and connected images too. Ultimately, the galleries are a great mix of formal images and relaxed, playful, shots of your entire family.

little girl in ivory lace dress hugging grandma's arm and boy being flown through sky by dad

Why is the Extended Portrait session priced differently?

Pricing varies based on the amount of family members included in the photo session. An extended family session require more time in general. It requires more shooting time, editing time and planning time. Additionally, extended family session galleries are larger than standard family session galleries. This is because not only do I capture portraits of the entire group together, I also capture individual families and lots of other groupings. The goal is to capture all of the various relationships that exist within your family.

grandma in tan leather skirt and sweater with her grandchildren who are hugging her

When is a good time to schedule a Photo Session with my extended family?

The answer is simple….anyiyme you are all together. If multiple family members live out of state, the holiday season is a good time to schedule a session when family members are in town visiting. If you are vacationing together, that is the perfect time for a session. Perhaps the Summer is the only time you are all together, then you should schedule the session then.

uncle playing with nieces and nephews and tickling them in the grass and flying them the sky

St AUgustine and Jacksonville Extended Family Photo Sessions

I recently moved to the North Eastern Florida area and I am looking forward to capturing families in the area. I have spent the last decade photographing countless families on Long Island, New York and now as a North Eastern Florida family photographer, I am ready to capture memories for families in St Augustine, Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra and beyond. Here are some images from a recent large group family session I photographed in the Fall prior to moving to Pointe Vedra, Florida.