Tag: Colorado Extended Family Session

Three Reasons to Book an Extended Family Session

by sweetsolsticephotographyllc1 Comment on Three Reasons to Book an Extended Family Session
Three Reasons to Book an Extended Family Session

I recently had the opportunity to work with this beautiful family and I couldn’t be happier with their images. Within 90 minutes we had sunshine and rain (and both at the same time), but they were great sports and the show went on! At this session, someone mentioned to me that they had been intending to do an extended family session for a long time, but then never got around to it. They kept saying, “we’ll do it when…” and then that ‘when’ came and went—and the photos didn’t happen. Until this year, when each of the kids pitched in to book a session for their mom for Mother’s Day. Their story is a very common one! But, it got me thinking and I came up with three reasons why it’s a great idea to book an extended family session. Keep reading below to find out what they are!

Photo from an extended family session where the grandparents, their kids, and their grandkids are holding hands and walking toward the camera while smiling.

1. The whole family will have an excuse to get together!

Coordinating schedules can be tough, especially if you have a large family. You may even be able to count on one hand the number of times your parents, siblings and their partners, and your siblings’ kids have all been together. If the last photo you have together is YEARS old, it may be time for an update. After your session is over, you can follow up with other fun plans, like dinner or ice cream!

Grandparents pose with their kids and grandkids while they all smile at the camera during an extended family session.
A husband hugs his wife from behind and she holds onto his hands while they smile at each other during an extended family session.
A young, adult man smiles at the camera for a close up during an extended family session.
A mother wraps her arm around her son's shoulder as they smile at the camera during an extended family session.
A set of grandparents hug their their three grandkids and smile at the camera during an extended family session.
A husband faces away from the camera while his wife stands at his side facing toward the camera. She holds onto his forearm and they smile at each other during an extended family session.
A young girl kisses her little brother on the head during an extended family session.

2. There’s a new addition to the family.

Welcoming a new baby into the family is a great reason to schedule an extended family session. But, this probably shouldn’t happen right away. 😉 Once the parents of the new baby are settled into a routine and feeling up to it, plan a session together and update your family photos to include the newest member! Grandparents LOVE having photos of their grandbabies—but they’re not the only ones! Aunts, uncles, and cousins enjoy looking at photos of the whole family too!

A mother and father smile at the camera with their four adult children during an extended family session.
A family of 10 stands under clear umbrellas while it rains during their extended family session.
Photo from an extended family session where four adult siblings are laughing with each other.
Four siblings pose together with their kids and spouses smiling at the camera during an extended family session.

3. If not now, when?

Let’s be honest, there are times in life where “it’s just not a good time”. Many, if not all, of us have uttered that phrase at one point or another. And if it’s really not a good time, fine! Give yourself grace. Sometimes we go through seasons where we just don’t have the capacity to handle more than the bare minimum. But, if you’re not in that place, what’s holding you back? Your kids will only be this age once. You’ll only celebrate your parents’ 40th anniversary once. And so on! It can take lots of planning and coordination to get the whole family together. But it’ll be worth your efforts!

If you’re ready to book your next extended family session (or another type of session), don’t hesitate to reach out! I would be happy to help. 🙂 If you want to get the latest updates and exclusive offers delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for my email list at the bottom of my home page! If you would like to follow along on social media, click on the icons below. Thanks for stopping by!

Close up of a young boy's face as his dad holds him upside down and he laughs during an extended family session.
A dad sits his young son on his shoulders while his son is laughing and smiling at the camera during an extended family session.
A wife stands in front of her husband while their arms are extended and fingers interlocked right before they go into a hug.
A husband hugs his wife from behind while they both look at the camera and smile.