Prep Like a Pro: Before You Pick Up Your Camera
Know the family dynamics.
Learn every name, map out who’s connected to whom, and create your shot list. When you’re juggling 10-15 people, each with their own pace and focus, a clear roadmap is a lifesaver.
Understand what matters most to your client.
Before the session, talk with the main organizer about which kinds of images they value most. Do they prefer polished, static portraits — everyone lined up, evenly lit, with perfect clarity? Or are they drawn to lively, dynamic moments that capture connection and genuine emotion? Knowing this upfront helps you direct the shoot and create a gallery that truly reflects their vision.
Scout like your reputation depends on it.
Even if you’ve shot at a location a hundred times, show up 30 minutes early. Light changes, crowds appear, and Murphy’s Law sometimes loves photographers))
Outfits That Work
Classic option
Everyone in the same color or in simple neutrals. It’s safe, timeless, and always clean-looking.
Creative option
Pick 2-3 complementary tones and let each person show personality within that palette. This way, the group looks cohesive but never flat.
Add dimension
Mix in textures and layers: think of pairing soft, flowy silk pants/skirt with a chunky knit sweater, denim with cotton, structured with flowy. Contrast gives depth and keeps the eye engaged.
The finishing touch
Accessories bring richness to the frame. They make the gallery feel layered and invite the viewer to linger on the photo.
The Magic Hour Advantage
Start 1,5h before sunset and keep going about 25 minutes after. That window gives you everything — from crisp, bright shots to the dreamy glow that flatters everyone. Your clients will swear you’re a lighting wizard.
Shooting Smart, Not Hard
Kids first
You have about 15 golden minutes of curiosity before chaos takes over. Grab your must-haves right away.
Grandparents next
After the kids, capture the essential portraits of grandparents or elderly relatives first, so that later they can enjoy the session at a more relaxed pace — or leave earlier if needed.
Variety is your best friend.
- Wide shots for setting and scale
- Tight shots for emotion and connection
- Mix the light: backlit glow, side-lit depth, bold direct sun
- Static poses first, then add movement
The Group Shot Game Plan
Here’s a sequence that keeps energy flowing:
- The formal safety shot. Everyone lined up, looking at the camera.
- Loosen them up. Crack a joke, ask them to look at each other, check each other out, or share a laugh. This naturally softens the mood.
- Movement. Bring the shorter family members a couple of steps forward and the taller ones slightly behind, then have them slowly walk toward you. Ask them to glance at each other, smile — it creates a frame that feels alive and unstaged.
4. Clusters. Don’t forget the essential groups from the client’s list: grandparents with grandkids, all the siblings together, just the women, just the men, and so on.
Bonus variation. Instead of one straight line, arrange the family by “units” — each household together — and angle them slightly so they form a loose semicircle.
Don’t forget individuals. A solo portrait of each family member becomes an unexpected gift — and clients love it.
Gallery Flow & Album Gold
Think beyond just faces. Photograph the setting the family chose — the garden, the beach, the home — so the gallery feels anchored in place. These shots become essential “visual pauses” when you’re designing a photo book.
Mix portraits with scene-setters, clusters with wide shots. This rhythm makes the gallery engaging and the final album feel like a story rather than a roll of portraits.
Location Hopping = Visual Gold
Don’t plant yourself like a tree. Move, change backgrounds, and — here’s the secret — capture them walking between spots. Those in-between shots? Pure family documentary magic.
The planned poses matter, but the real treasures hide between them.
Your Secret Weapons
For kids: Have someone behind you making silly noises, funny faces, or jingling keys. You only need their eyes for 2 seconds — make it count.
For everyone else: Keep the energy up, stay organized, and remember: flexibility beats perfection every single time.
Extended family sessions are equal parts planning and improvisation. Come prepared, stay flexible, and never forget: you’re not just documenting faces, you’re capturing a family’s story.
When they scatter back across the world, these photos become their most treasured possessions. The chaos is worth it. The smiles are real. And you get to be the one who bottled up their magic.
SEE Family Gallery
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