Planning an extended family photo session can feel overwhelming, especially when you're coordinating multiple households, young children, grandparents, and different schedules.
The good news? It doesn't have to be stressful.
After photographing extended families throughout Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, and St. Augustine for more than a decade, I've found that a little preparation goes a long way. Here are my best tips to help your session run smoothly and allow everyone to simply enjoy being together.
1. Choose One Person to Coordinate Everyone
Rather than having six different people texting questions the week of the session, choose one family member to be the point of contact.
That person can:
share wardrobe ideas
communicate the meeting location
remind everyone of the arrival time
answer questions from the rest of the family
This keeps communication simple and helps everyone arrive prepared.
2. Coordinate Outfits Instead of Matching
The goal isn't to have everyone wear the exact same outfit.
Instead, choose a cohesive color palette with soft neutrals and a few complementary colors.
Think of your family as one large portrait rather than several individual families.
Avoid large logos, busy prints, and neon colors that can distract from the people in the photographs.
3. Arrive Early
Extended family sessions include many different family combinations.
If one family arrives late, it affects everyone else's experience.
I always recommend arriving about 10–15 minutes early so everyone has time to park, walk to the location, and be ready to begin on time.
4. Create a Family Combination List Ahead of Time
Before the session, think about every group you'd like photographed.
For example:
Entire family
Grandparents with grandchildren
Each individual family
Grandparents with adult children
Cousins together
Siblings
Individual grandchildren
Having a plan allows us to move efficiently while making sure no one is forgotten.
5. Keep Expectations Flexible
One of the biggest questions I receive is:
"What if the weather doesn't cooperate?"
Florida weather can change quickly, especially during the summer and early fall. While I carefully monitor the forecast leading up to your session, I may recommend adjusting the start time slightly if it means avoiding a passing storm or taking advantage of the best light.
Overcast skies are often beautiful for photographs, so clouds alone are rarely a reason to reschedule. Flexibility allows me to make the best decisions based on the conditions that day and helps ensure your family has the best possible experience. Learn about what to do when it is cloudy or rainy, here.
6. Let the Children Be Children
Children don't need to smile perfectly at the camera for an entire session.
Some of my favorite photographs happen when they're exploring, laughing with cousins, holding a grandparent's hand, or running along the beach.
We'll absolutely create the classic portraits you're hoping for, but the candid moments often become the family favorites.
7. Relax and Enjoy the Experience
Remember why you're doing this.
Your extended family session isn't just about creating one beautiful portrait.
It's about documenting relationships, celebrating the time you have together, and preserving memories that become more meaningful with each passing year.
The more relaxed everyone feels, the more authentic your photographs will be.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're gathering for a family vacation, celebrating a milestone, or simply taking advantage of having everyone together, a little preparation helps create a relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
If you're looking for a Jacksonville extended family photographer or planning an extended family session in Ponte Vedra or St. Augustine, I'd love to help you create photographs that tell the story of your family.
