I know, the idea of an extended family photo session is overwhelming. It comes up on holidays when your entire family is gathered around a turkey dinner and Gramma mentions she would love to have a photo of everyone all together. Yes, it absolutely requires making a plan to get everyone together but it does not need to be stressful. It can actually be fun.
My goal with extended family sessions is the same goal I have for all of my photo sessions: I want to capture your connection. Here is what you can expect from an extended family photo session with me so we can make sure your photos reflect your family as they are and preserve those memories for the future.
A relaxed atmosphere at home or at a location where everyone feels at ease.
With a large group of people, simple is best. I would love to document your family at a place that has meaning for you. The grandparents house, the family farm, your cottage, a beach or outdoor area that you frequent a lot. The photos will mean so much more when you can see objects and places that are meaningful in the background.
I will ask you to plan some activities to participate in while I am there.
This does not need to be complicated. Think about your family and what you naturally like to do together or what is special to you that you would like captured. Having activities planned can help family members relax and not feel so awkward about having their photos taken. In the past I have had families play games (road hockey, soccer, cards), skip, ride bikes, have a bonfire with marshmallows, blow bubbles on the beach, make pancakes, have an outdoor picnic, and look at photo albums together. If you are interacting, there are more opportunities for spontaneous magical connections to happen.
You can expect me to gather the family for more traditional family portraits BUT you can also expect that it will be only a small portion of the session.
These types of photos definitely have a place in your home and on your walls but they are not the focus of the entire session.
You will receive photos and a keepsake video that will help you remember not only what everyone looked like but how you felt around each other.
If all you want is a perfect extended family photo of everyone looking at the camera and smiling, I am not the right photographer for you. There are so many amazing photographers that can make that happen for you. If though, you want something a little different, if you want your kids to remember what it was like to be cuddled by their grandparents, how you played with them and laughed loudly, how you could lift your kids high in the sky because they were still so small, then I am the person to make that happen.
A great way to start planning a session and getting family members on board is to show them what a relaxed, fun, stress-free session can look like. Send them the link to my Kincardine family photographer page, to my blog about why I include a keepsake video with my family sessions or to my vimeo page so they can learn more and see that it is possible to enjoy a photo session.
Do you have more questions about planning an extended family photo session in Kincardine or throughout Grey Bruce? Send me a message.