Prep for Success: Extended Family Photo Shoot Edition!

A few years ago, we wrote a piece on things to consider while organizing an extended family photoshoot. With the pandemic nearly behind us, families reconnecting, and celebrations commencing, we thought it would be a great idea to revisit our tip list, guaranteeing those long awaited family photos are a massive success for all members of your extended family.

Let’s face it, in today’s “get up and go” world, it’s harder than ever to find the time to schedule a family portrait session, let alone one for all your family members (we’re talkin’ aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc., the works!) But in truth, this is the exact same reason we should find the time to schedule one! If there is one thing we’ve realized over these past couple of years, time is fleeting, and you just never know what is going to happen.  Extended family portrait sessions are the perfect way to capture lasting moments with loved ones you may not see very often.

Bottom Line Up Front: Due to the complexities of shooting a large family portrait session, some photographers will steer clear and not offer them as part of their repertoire. What do we mean by complex? Well, let’s think about a time when you were planning a photo session with your partner and kids. You both had an idea of what you wanted. You picked out the perfect location, purchased new outfits, and even checked out the family portfolio on our website for posing ideas. We are sure you also had a lot of expectations surrounding your shoot. Now, think about all of this and multiply by the number of families within your extended family. We know! Our mind is spinning too!

The Good News: We love extended family photoshoots and do them often, especially in the summer.  Whether it’s family reunions, families vacationing together (Florida y’all!), or our beloved repeat clients wanting to update their wall art, we cherish them all. So, to help you plan your extended family photo session, here are some suggestions to help stay organized, look fabulous, and have some good old fashioned family fun!

First Things First

In our last blog post, “Prep For Success: Help Your Kids Shine”, we mentioned our Pre-Session Questionnaire. Our client questionnaire is a great tool for us to get to know you and your family better. Our goal is to better understand your family dynamic, goals, needs, and wants regarding your portraits and those of your extended family. It’s our first step in effective communication to ensure your session starts off on the right foot. Be sure to include any additional details that are relevant, big, or small. It’s also important to have the other families involved fill this questionnaire. All families are unique and should be treated as such!

Stick to the Point (Person that is)! 

With any large group project, there needs to be a point person. This may be the person who contacted us to schedule the photo session. Large family photos have many moving parts. It’s important to stay organized and communicate effectively. The point person is typically responsible for getting all the questionnaires back to us and collaborating with the “photo planner” within each family to write a shot list. This is a list of priority (highest first) poses the family would like as a whole. They can also make a “wish list” of poses, just in case we have some extra time. Remember, you can look through our portfolio to find posing inspiration.

Consider This: Time is not always on our side. There are certain limitations and goals for extended family photo sessions, as they vary from a standard family portrait session. Keep in mind the amount of time we have will determine how many poses we'll be able to capture.

Here is a sample list of shot you may want to consider:

·        Group shot

·        Grandparents and grandkids

·        Siblings

·        Grandkids

·        Sally’s family

·        Tom’s family

·        Jane’s family

·        Grandma with granddaughters

·        Grandpa with grandsons

·        Individual photos of grandkids

·        Parents with kids individually

When the list is agreed upon by all family members and finalized, be sure to review it thoroughly and send it to us via text or email at least 2 days prior to your photo session. Any changes in this list during the session, means less time to take those priority pictures or any extras. 

Also note: We shoot in natural environments. This means those wiggly kiddos may also be easily distracted. This is 100% to be expected. Our goal is to photograph small children and those with mobility issues first. Let us know if there is anyone in your session with mobility issues so we can ensure they don't have to walk very far from the car to where we'll be doing the photos. We’ll almost always get the shots requested, but it’s normal for little faces not to be looking at the camera or smiling in every photo. Candid shots rock!

Dress For Shoot Success

Ah! The age old question, “what should we wear?” Though for an extended family photography session, this question can seem a bit more daunting. You’ll be happy to know, long gone are the days of matching button down shirts and denim jeans! Today family photoshoots are all about coordinating colors, patterns, and textures. Keep in mind, the individual families should coordinate within their own family, while also considering what the others are wearing.  Here are some of our Dos and Don’ts.

Do:

·        Coordinate colors - Take the time to come up with a color scheme. Three to four colors max. Avoid bold/bright colors or busy patterns.

·        Strive for comfort, it’s key. Comfortable clothing makes all the difference especially with kids. Avoid itchy or stiff fabrics and excessive layers. Don’t forget to use that iron!

·        Find the perfect fit. You don’t want your clothes to be too baggy or too snug. Well-fitting clothes help exude confidence.

·        Think about patterns vs solids. While solids typically work best, small patterns that don’t distract also work. Also, be sure to use pattern sparingly in your clothing choices to prevent clashing.

Don’t:

·        Wear outfits that are too matchy-matchy. People are individuals after all, and we want those personalities to shine through!

·        Wear bright, heavily patterned clothing. Your face is the primary focus, and we want to keep it that way. This also rings true with brands, characters, logos, or words.

·        Forget the small details. Check those pockets for bulky phones or keys. Is there a hair-tie or scrunchie on your wrist? Check everyone’s teeth. Are those little faces clean and smiling?

·        Wear uncomfortable shoes! This one counts for the whole group. Especially kids.

Family photos give your whole family the chance to show who they are, and clothing choices help tremendously. Our outfits reflect our personalities and affect our moods. Let your true self shine through!

Wait! There’s more! We’re all about the details. And you can find a more comprehensive dos and don’ts list right here! Click on our What To Wear Guide to help plan the perfect family outfits that will make everyone want to strike a pose!

It’s Showtime!

As the day of the family portrait session approaches, the point person will want to continually keep in touch with all family members involved. Review every little detail, time, location, outfits, and the shot list. Set expectations on time constraints, if there are any. And don’t forget to include the kids. Keep them in the loop. Our blog post, “Prep For Success: Help Your Kids Shine, goes into some wonderful detail to get them ready and raring to go!

Above all else, enjoy yourselves in this rare moment! You are here, together as a family (finally!). We’ll do our part in making you feel comfortable and always looking your best. We are here to provide direction as needed, and you can trust us to get the shot. All the planning is done, you all can relax, let loose, share some laughs, and do what feels natural. Trust us. The candid smiles are always the best ones.

Did someone say location? We narrowed down our favorites in the beautiful Tampa Bay, Clearwater, St. Pete, and surrounding areas of Florida. Check out our blog “Location, location, location” or you can view our Locations We Love on our homepage. With so many beautiful locations, how will you choose?

Additional questions? It never hurts to ask. Send us a message or give us a call - 727-946-8129. You can also check out our Tampa Portrait Photographer Frequently Asked Questions guide.