How to Plan Extended Family Photos During Your Jacksonville or Ponte Vedra Beach Vacation

One of the most common reasons families book an extended family session is because everyone is finally together.

Whether you're staying at a beach house in Ponte Vedra, visiting Jacksonville Beach, or spending a week exploring historic St. Augustine, a family vacation is often the only time grandparents, siblings, cousins, and grandchildren are all in the same place.

As a Jacksonville extended family photographer, I've photographed many vacationing families over the years. Here are a few things that will help your session go smoothly.

Schedule Your Session Early in Your Vacation

One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until the last evening of their trip.

I always recommend scheduling your session during the first half of your vacation whenever possible. Florida weather can be unpredictable, especially during the summer months, and having flexibility makes it much easier to reschedule if needed.

An earlier session also allows everyone to relax and enjoy the rest of the trip without worrying about fitting photos in at the last minute.

Choose a Location That Works for Everyone

When several generations are involved, convenience matters.

I typically recommend locations with easy beach access, nearby parking, and enough space for children to play between photographs.

Some of my favorite locations for extended family sessions include:

• Ponte Vedra Beach

• Mickler's Landing

• Guana Preserve

• Vilano Beach

• Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

• Historic St. Augustine

The best location depends on your family's size, the ages of the children, and where you're staying. You can see another beach session here and learn about other locations here.

Coordinate Outfits Before You Arrive

With multiple households involved, it's much easier to coordinate clothing before everyone leaves home.

Choose a soft, cohesive color palette rather than matching outfits. Neutrals paired with a few complementary colors photograph beautifully against the natural tones of the beach.

Sharing inspiration with everyone ahead of time helps avoid last-minute decisions once vacation begins.

You can learn more about styling here.

Don't Plan Dinner Immediately Afterward

Extended family sessions move at a relaxed pace.

We'll photograph the full group, each individual family, grandparents with grandchildren, sibling groups, cousins, and plenty of candid moments in between.

Planning a reservation immediately after your session can create unnecessary stress. Giving yourselves a little extra time allows everyone to enjoy the experience.

Let the Kids Be Kids

Children don't need to stand perfectly still for an hour to create beautiful photographs.

Some of my favorite images happen when cousins are running through the waves, grandparents are laughing with grandchildren, or families are simply walking together along the shoreline.

Those authentic interactions often become the most meaningful photographs from the entire session.

The Best Souvenir You'll Bring Home

Beach vacations come and go, but the photographs from that week become part of your family's history.

Years from now, they'll remind you of the season when everyone was together—sharing sunsets, making memories, and enjoying time that so rarely happens in one place.

If you're planning a family vacation in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, or St. Augustine, an extended family session is one of the most meaningful ways to preserve that time together.