The Importance of Including Grandparents in Photo Sessions in Jacksonville & St. Augustine
If you're planning a family photo session and wondering whether to invite the grandparents, my answer is almost always yes.
So many families tell me they'll wait until next year, the next vacation, or when everyone can be together again. But one thing I've learned after photographing families for more than a decade is that these opportunities become more meaningful with each passing year.
Grandparents are a huge part of your children's story. Including them in your family photos isn't just about getting one beautiful portrait. It's about preserving the relationships your children will one day look back on with gratitude.
Whether you're planning an extended family session during a Jacksonville beach vacation or gathering everyone together in St. Augustine, these are the photographs that often become family heirlooms.
Why Include Grandparents in Your Family Photos?
Simply put, who is more important than a grandparent?! I had the best grandparents and my bond with them was like no other. My childhood memories all involve time spent with them. In fact, my eldest daughter’s first name is my maternal grandparents’ last name. My own children have a strong bond with their own grandparents as well. It is such a blessing that they have so many wonderful and special moments shared with both their maternal and paternal grandparents. So, it is no surprise that I feel so strongly about capturing your own families with extended family members. Here are some reasons why I feel this way.
What We Photograph During an Extended Family Session
Many families worry that an extended family session will only result in one large group photo. While we'll absolutely create that classic portrait, we'll capture so much more during our time together.
A typical extended family session includes:
The entire family together
Grandparents with all of their grandchildren
Each individual family
Grandparents with their adult children
Cousins together
Siblings
Individual grandchildren with grandparents
Natural, candid moments throughout the session
Those candid interactions often become the photographs families treasure most because they tell the story of your relationships, not just who was present that day.
If you're planning an extended family session in Jacksonville or St. Augustine and aren't sure which location would work best, I've put together a guide to my favorite locations for large family photo sessions.
Why Grandparents Matter in Family Photos
There was no one like my Nana and Grandpa. Not only because they loved me immeasurably and unconditionally, but also because of the time I spent with them. My childhood memories all involve my grandparents. I spent Summers at their home, every family gathering included them, they joined us on family vacations and even when they moved to Florida, I still saw them countless times throughout the years. My own girls have a similar experience with their own grandparents and their bond with each of them is special in its own unique way.
Although I have plenty of images of my girls with their grandparents, I wish I had professional photos taken of me with my grandparents when I was a child. I bet you feel this way too. Scheduling a professional portrait session with grandparents is a git that keeps on giving. It is a gift to your parents, yourself and, most importantly, your children. Photos provide children with tangible and lasting memories of their time spent with their loving grandmother and grandfather.
Family Vacations Are the Perfect Time for Extended Family Photos
One of the reasons I photograph so many extended family sessions in Jacksonville and St. Augustine is because vacations naturally bring everyone together.
Families travel from different states, grandparents get to spend uninterrupted time with their grandchildren, and for a few days everyone is in the same place. Instead of waiting for a future date that may never work for everyone, a family vacation is often the perfect opportunity to schedule professional photos.
Years later, those images become a reminder of not only who was there, but what that season of life felt like.
These Photos Become More Valuable Every Year
Professional family photography becomes a family heirloom, especially when printed and shared in your life through prints, albums, framed art. Having these albums and prints for your children to look at is a constant reminder of their bond with family. My children look at our family albums constantly and they love it because it reminds them of all of the wonderful memories they have experienced.
Children rarely notice the things adults worry about before a photo session. They don't care if Grandpa's hair is thinner than it used to be or if Grandma says she doesn't photograph well anymore. Years from now, they'll simply be thankful they have photographs that show the people who loved them.
Some of the most meaningful images from my sessions aren't the traditional family portrait. They're the quiet moments between grandparents and grandchildren—a hand being held, a shared laugh, or a hug that wasn't prompted. Those are often the photographs families treasure most because they remind children not only what their grandparents looked like, but what it felt like to be with them.
Even Grandparents Who Don't Love Being Photographed Rarely Regret It
Most grandparents will be thrilled to be included in a photo session with their grandbabies. Even those who don’t love being photographed will be happy that you asked them to participate. After any grandparents sees these images, they will be so happy they took the time to capture photos with their grandchildren.
As I mentioned, grandparents do not need to be in every photo. Even having them appear for a few minutes of a session works great. I recently took the opportunity to include my parents in a family photo session and I love the images taken of them with my children. Even though I a a photographer and capture special moments all the time within my own family, having photos of all of us together is something I will forever cherish.
It is Nice to Have Updated Family Photos
I bet that the most recent photos with your parents were taken at your wedding. Am I right? Those images are beautiful, but do they tell the story of your family now? Most likely they do not. After all, your wedding photos were captured way back before children and before the entire dynamic and energy of your family changed. Scheduling a professional photo session will allow you to get updated images with your parents that are fun and light hearted.
Grandparents Make Family Sessions Easier Than You Think
If you have multiple children, a toddler, or a baby, having grandparents present during a family photography session can be very helpful.
Extra arms are always welcome to wrangle kids! Extra eyes to keep an eye on runaway toddlers! Also, grandparents can be very good at cajoling smiles out of shy babies, but just make sure they are doing this directly above my lens so baby is looking at camera.
A Photo Session or Photo Products is a Great Gift
If you are anything like me, then finding the perfect gift for your parents is a struggle. You can book a family photo session as a gift for your parents or in-laws, or you could gift them prints, albums, framed desk art after the session. These products are perfect for the holidays, anniversaries, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or a birthday. Again, this is the gift that keep on giving and is one that the entire family benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Photos with Grandparents
Should grandparents be in every photo?
No. I typically photograph a combination of the entire family, each individual family, grandparents with grandchildren, and plenty of candid moments.
What if my parents have mobility limitations?
We'll choose a location in Jacksonville or St. Augustine that works well for everyone and adjust the pace of the session accordingly.
When is the best time for extended family photos?
Sunrise and the hour before sunset provide the most flattering light, especially for beach sessions.
What should grandparents wear?
I recommend coordinating colors rather than matching exactly. Neutral, timeless clothing photographs beautifully and keeps the focus on your family.
Whether you're planning a family vacation, celebrating a milestone birthday, or simply have everyone together for the weekend, this is the perfect opportunity to include grandparents in your family photos.
If you're looking for a Jacksonville or St. Augustine family photographer who specializes in relaxed, connection-focused extended family sessions, I'd love to help you create photographs your family will treasure for generations.
