Extended family photos bring everyone into the frame at once: grandparents, their grown children, the grandkids, and sometimes aunts, uncles and cousins who only get together a few times a year. They are some of the most meaningful photos a family will ever own, and with a little planning, an extended family session can feel relaxed and even fun, no matter how many people are involved. Here is how our team plans extended family sessions with our clients, from building a grouping list to choosing outfits and a location that work for every generation.
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What Are Extended Family Photos?
Extended family photos are portraits that include more than one household. A typical session brings together grandparents, their adult children and their families, and often the grandchildren as their own group. Some families include aunts, uncles, cousins and great-grandparents, and family reunions can grow even larger. Along with one or two full group photos, an extended family session usually includes each household on its own and a series of smaller groupings, so everyone goes home with photos that matter to them.
Families often plan these sessions around a milestone: a grandparent’s birthday or anniversary, a holiday visit when everyone is finally in town, or simply the realization that it has been years since the whole family was photographed together.
How to Group Family Photos for a Large Family
The single most helpful thing you can do before an extended family session is make a grouping list. It keeps the session moving, makes sure no one is forgotten, and lets each household know when they are needed. We walk through the list with you on your planning call, and a typical order looks something like this:
- The full extended family, while everyone is fresh and the little ones are still cheerful
- The grandparents with all of the grandchildren
- The grandparents with their adult children
- Each household on its own
- Siblings together, then cousins together
- Special pairings, such as mom and son, dad and daughter, or a grandparent with each grandchild
- Just the kids, a favorite for holiday cards and gifts
We usually start with the biggest groups and work toward the smallest, so families with young children can finish their portraits early and take a break. If a grandparent or anyone else has limited mobility, we plan the order so they can stay seated in one comfortable spot while the groupings around them change.
Why Extended Family Photos Take Longer Than You Think
If there is one thing we would love every family to know before their session, it is that group photos almost always take longer than people expect. Each new grouping means gathering the right people, arranging heights and posture, and making sure every face can be seen, and that time adds up quickly with a large family. Little ones need breaks, someone always wanders off to grab a drink or chase a toddler, and outdoors the wind, changing light and crowds in public spaces can all slow things down.
None of this is a problem when the session is planned for it. Building in a little extra time keeps the pace relaxed, which is exactly what helps kids and camera-shy relatives enjoy themselves. It also helps to choose one point person in the family, usually whoever organized the session, who can help gather each group while we focus on posing and direction.
How Long Should an Extended Family Session Be?
Most of our family sessions run between 20 and 60 minutes. Smaller extended families at one location may need less time, while several households, a long grouping list or an outfit change usually call for the full hour or more. On your planning call, we will look at how many people and groupings you have and recommend a session length that never feels rushed. Our portrait pricing page explains how sessions and ordering work.
What to Wear for Extended Family Photos
Coordinating outfits across several households sounds daunting, but it gets much easier once everyone shares one color palette. Choose three or four colors that look good together, then let each household pick its own mix from that palette. A family in sage and cream, another in navy and soft blue and a third in rust and camel can all look beautiful side by side in the full group photo, without anyone needing to match exactly.
Encourage everyone to avoid large logos, neon colors and busy patterns that pull attention, and to choose clothes they can comfortably sit, kneel and hold a toddler in. You are always welcome to send us phone photos of outfit options before your session. Our guide to what to wear for family photos walks through palettes for every season, and our family Christmas picture outfits guide has ideas for holiday sessions.
Choosing a Location for a Large Family
A great location for an extended family session has room for everyone to stand together, open shade or soft light so no one is squinting, and a nearby bench or wall where grandparents can sit. Easy parking and restrooms matter more than you might expect when several generations are involved. Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for outdoor sessions in Atlanta, while in the heat of summer we usually recommend an indoor location such as a natural light studio. Our guide to indoor photo locations in Atlanta has options with space for larger groups.
If the family dog is part of the plan, an outdoor location gives pets the room they need. Our list of pet-friendly locations for family photos near Atlanta is a helpful place to start, and some families also choose a grandparent’s home, which adds a layer of meaning that only grows with time.
Family Reunion Photos
Family reunions are a natural time for extended family photos, since everyone is already in one place. Reunions can mean dozens of people, so a clear plan matters even more: we typically start with the full reunion group, then move through each branch of the family and finish with the households and pairings that matter most to you. If you would also like candid coverage of the reunion itself, mention it on your planning call and we will talk through what makes the most sense for your gathering.
Tips for a Smooth Extended Family Session
- Share the grouping list with everyone ahead of time, so each household knows when it is needed.
- Ask everyone to arrive a little early, since one late arrival delays the full group photo for everyone.
- Bring water and small snacks for kids, and plan the session around naps when you can.
- Ask relatives to keep their phones tucked away during the session, so every face is turned toward our camera.
- Let us direct the groupings. You can relax and enjoy your family, and we will make sure every combination on your list is captured.
Plan Your Extended Family Photos With Our Team
Extended family photos are worth the effort it takes to get everyone together, and the right plan makes the session feel easy. As an Atlanta family photographer, our team guides every grouping, keeps the pace relaxed for kids and grandparents alike, and helps you choose outfits and a location that suit your family. You can see more of our work in our family portfolio.
