A Multi Generational Family Session on the Beach
Planning a multi-generational or extended family beach session in Northeast Florida? I specialize in photographing large families in a calm, guided, connection-focused way — serving St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and Jacksonville.
Although most families have plenty of photos of their own children, many do not have updated family photos that include their extended family members. In fact, most of us only have the rigid, posed images taken at the last family wedding. As families grow and dynamics change, it becomes even more meaningful to have photos that show the unique bond that exists within your extended family.
What I love most about these large group photo sessions is that no two are ever alike. Each family has its own rhythm, energy, and way of loving each other and that always shines through. These sessions are energetic, fast-paced, and truly so much fun.
This recent multi-generational family beach session in St. Augustine was a blast. Two of the sisters are former newborn clients of mine, and I met their mother during both of their in-home newborn sessions. When they reached out in the winter about gifting a session to their mother for the holidays, I was thrilled because I knew this photo session would be a special one.
There are five sisters, and three of the sisters have children. In total, there are six grandchildren and four of them under the age of four. You might be thinking this session was destined for chaos, but it was quite the opposite. It was relaxed, joyful, and full of connection. The children were incredibly cooperative, even though the session began well after bedtime. They absolutely crushed it, and I don’t think a single tear was shed.
In order for an extended family photo session to run smoothly, it’s important that I understand each family’s goals. Some people want very specific groupings, some prefer more traditional portraits, and others lean toward completely organic images. This session was centered around the beautiful matriarch of the family. She is not only stunning, but also the coolest grandma I have ever met. We focused on capturing the siblings together, both with and without their parents, and left time at the end for relaxed images in the ocean.
I just loved working with this breathtakingly beautiful family. Here are some of my favorites from the evening.
What Should an Extended Family Wear for Beach Photos?
Coordinating clothing for a large group can feel overwhelming, but you don't need everyone wearing the same thing.
I recommend choosing a soft, cohesive color palette and letting each individual family coordinate within it. Neutrals mixed with a few muted colors tend to photograph beautifully at the beach and give the group some variety without making the final gallery feel disconnected.
I provide styling guidance before every extended family session and can help you choose a palette that works well with the beach, the season, and your family's personal style.
Planning an Extended Family Beach Session?
I photograph many families in the St Augustine area and have learned that photographing a large family is a little different from photographing one immediate family. With 10, 15, or even 20+ people, having a plan ahead of time allows us to use our time together well without making the session feel overly structured.
Before every extended family session, I ask about the individual families within the group, ages of the children, and any specific photographs that are especially important to you. That allows me to create a loose plan for the session before we ever arrive at the beach.
We typically begin with the entire extended family while everyone is fresh and together. From there, we work through smaller combinations, which might include:
Grandparents with their adult children
Each individual family
Adult siblings together
Cousins together
Couples
Grandparents individually with grandchildren
Any meaningful groupings specific to your family
Once we've covered the important combinations, there's plenty of room for the less structured photographs too. Those are often some of my favorites.
Choosing the Right Beach in St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra
Not every Northeast Florida beach photographs exactly the same way, and the best location depends on your group.
For a large extended family, I consider parking and accessibility just as much as the scenery. If grandparents or very young children are joining us, a beautiful location isn't particularly useful if getting everyone onto the beach is difficult.
I help my clients choose a beach location based on the size and ages of their group, where they're staying, accessibility, and the overall look they'd like for their photographs.
What Happens If It Rains?
Weather is an important consideration for any Florida beach session, particularly for extended families who are visiting St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra on vacation.
Florida forecasts can change quickly, so I don't make weather decisions days in advance based on a rain percentage. I keep an eye on the forecast and conditions as we get closer to the session and make the final call when we have a much clearer picture of what the weather is actually doing.
For visiting extended families, I also recommend planning your session early enough in your trip that we have some flexibility if Florida weather doesn't cooperate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Family Photos on the Beach
How many people can be included in an extended family session?
Extended family sessions typically include groups of 8 to 25+ people. I've photographed everything from grandparents with one adult child's family to large groups made up of several individual families. The session is planned around the size and dynamics of your particular group.
How long does an extended family session take?
Most extended family sessions last approximately an hour. That gives us enough time to photograph the entire group, individual families and important combinations without rushing everyone through a long list of poses.
What is the best time of day for beach family photos?
I schedule beach sessions around the best available light, generally at sunrise or during the hour leading up to sunset. Midday sun can be particularly harsh on the beach, which is why timing makes such a difference in the final photographs.
Can we get photos of each individual family?
Absolutely. One of the benefits of an extended family session is that you aren't only getting one photograph of the entire group. I photograph the full extended family as well as individual families and smaller combinations.
What if we have babies or toddlers in our group?
That's completely normal. Extended family sessions often include several young children, and I don't expect them to stand still and smile for an hour. I plan the order of photographs around the children when necessary and incorporate movement and interaction throughout the session.
Do you help us decide what everyone should wear?
Yes. Coordinating outfits for a large group is one of the biggest concerns families have before an extended family session. I provide styling guidance and can help you create a cohesive palette without having everyone dress alike.
When should we schedule photos during our St. Augustine vacation?
If your family is traveling to Northeast Florida, I recommend scheduling your session earlier in your stay whenever possible. That gives us more flexibility if weather requires a change of plans.
Do you photograph extended families in both St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra?
Yes. I'm based in Ponte Vedra and photograph extended families throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville and the surrounding Northeast Florida beaches.
Extended Family Photos Make a Meaningful Gift
An extended family session can also be a meaningful gift for parents or grandparents, especially when everyone lives in different places and isn't together often.
In fact, the session featured in this post began as a holiday gift for the grandmother of the family.
Rather than giving another physical gift, the sisters planned a session that brought everyone together and gave their mother photographs with her children and grandchildren. The finished gallery became something every individual family could enjoy as well.
For milestone birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions or vacations when everyone will finally be in the same place, photographs can be one of the few gifts that actually become more meaningful over time.
If you’re planning a multi-generational or extended family beach session in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, or Jacksonville and want photos that feel natural, connected, and true to your family, I’d love to hear more about what you’re envisioning.
