Six Reasons to Have A Multigeneration Family Photo Session

You may be thinking that coordinating a family photo session with just 3-5 individuals sounds stressful, but I’m here to tell you that having a family photo session with multiple families and generations creates significant value for all family members, and can be fun too!!

This last 18+ months have been SO challenging for many families. Separated by travel bans and safety concerns…and we’re finally approaching a time where we can safely be together again.

The idea of planning an extended family photo session may be daunting, but I promise it’s worth it.

Here are six reasons to plan a photo session at your next get-together, or new motivation to have a meet up:

Reason Number One: Grandparents

Do you have many pictures of you with your parents, and your children with their grandparents that aren’t just iPhone selfies, or taken on the fly? I have a bad habit of waiting until we’re about to drive away from a visit to take a few quick photos of the kids with my parents. Putting a bit of organization into the session will create heirloom photos that I PROMISE will be treasured by every member of the family, particularly the grandparents.

And what’s better than capturing a professional portrait of the grandparents alone together too?

Reason number two: Cousins

Cousins who are fortunate enough to spend time together frequently and to form strong bonds is something worth documenting. They can each have this special memory to show how they’re all growing in comparison to each other, and to show their place in the world, amongst these lovely soles who are also their family. And, cousins just know how to have fun!! Seriously, photographing this family was a blast!

As our kids all grow older, graduate from high school, and move on these favorite family get togethers may become less frequent…so capturing these memories of the special relationships that only cousins can have becomes even more special as our kids grow.

Reason number three and four: updated family portraits [that can be hung on a gallery wall together and make perfect grandparent gifts]

Ok, so that reason is a mouthful…but what I’m getting at is that during an extended family session we can capture updated individual family portraits, that will all go really well together in a gallery wall or album, because they were all photographed at the same location/time. Imagine how these individual family portraits would all look together as a set. Gift giving for the grandparents will never be easier than the year you have an extended family photo session.

Reason number five: adult sibling hilarity

How often do you have the opportunity to create fun and beautiful photos of you and your adult siblings? I can honestly say it’s been WAY too long for me…so having the opportunity to create these images for a set of amazing humans brings this photographer joy every time, and I guarantee that their children, and their parents, LOVE these images of their kids/aunts/uncles.

Reason number six: fun

I pride myself on having FUN family photo sessions, and extended family sessions are no different. The pace is usually fast to accommodate all the groupings, the jokes and laughter are in abundance as you are all FAMILY. So, even if getting organized with outfits and getting everyone on board may have been a bit stressful, I guarantee there will be no complaints in the end, and everyone may ask when they can do it again. I’m not sure I’ve ever laughed more myself at a session than at this one, so I challenge your family to see if you can top that record. We’ll laugh, dance, and joke our ways to creating beautiful family photos.

You may have noticed that these images are a bit more posed than many of my family sessions, but with this many people and grandparents that often is the case. Nevertheless, I’ll foster connection and joy within family members so you can sense the true love you all have for one another.

What better way to celebrate your multi generation family reunion than with a photo shoot!! These images will document your love for one another, and the connection you all share.

Research has also shown that when children see themselves in family photos, it improves their self esteem and helps them to understand their family legacy, and where they fit into the unique puzzle of their family. What better way to see your family legacy than with multiple generations all together.

The photos from this session will become valued treasures in an album, big wall art, and framed bedside prints to see each night before bed for years to come and generations of the future. I guarantee it.

After you book one, you’ll be yearning to plan a shoot with your partner’s side of the family as well!!

How to book your extended family session

Whether you’re having a family reunion or getting together specifically for updated photos, I highly recommend a session with cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents.

If you’re interested in planning a photo shoot for your next family get together or have questions about the process, reach out via my contact page. I find it helpful to do a bit of pre-planning with one ‘leader’ from the family who will communicate everything from me to the other members of the family, and so we can do a bit of pre session organization and planning.