Gatlinburg Photographers Tips For Extended Family Photos
If you’ve got a big extended family, you may feel a little apprehensive about taking extended family photos. There was no fear when Mrs. Cisco and her family of 22–all ages, and a ton of personalities–approached me to book a session.
Mrs. Cisco loved the images with the rocky backdrops, so with her approval, we headed to the Smoky Mountains for this extended family photoshoot. Here’s a few tips I can share with you from my experience photographing big families as a Gatlinburg photographer.
Prepare for Extended Family Photos
First tip: prepare the whole family for your session. Make sure you’ve identified a clear meet up location, preferably with a specific address. As well as a specific time and day for everyone to meet. I recommend telling everyone to be 15-20 minutes early for the session, as well as sending a reminder text the morning of your session. The last thing we want is to be missing a part of the family!
Help smaller kids prepare by talking about what to expect during a photoshoot. Explaining what a photographer is, as well as why these photos are so important and special, can help younger children. Especially those who have no memory of working with a professional photographer. And, as usual, make sure every family member is well fed and hydrated before we start!
What To Wear to Extended Family Photos
When you have so many members in your family, it’s too much of a headache to approve what everyone’s wearing. Many people just coordinate with a color scheme or palette, which you can find tons of inspo for online. These guys picked neutral autumn colors, and everyone looked great! Coordinating withe a color palette will always look better than trying to find matching outfits.
If you’re headed to a natural trail like we did, wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Of course, don’t force kids to wear something they don’t like. Also have them try on the outfit before the day of the session to be sure everything fits comfortably. Smiles come easier when people are comfy.
Types of Shots in Extended Family Photos
What type of shots should you ask for? In addition to full group photos, individual family shots are a must. Don’t forget to grab couples shots, sibling shots, and cousins shots too. This way everyone in the family goes home with their own special images of their family to hang on the wall. Mrs. Cisco wanted a picture with her and her husband in the middle, then each family of creation on either side of them. So much love!
Location for Extended Family Photos
When you pick a location, consider the aesthetic of the final photos, but also the proximity and ease of access for each family involved. Choose a location that is open so kids can run and play while others are being photographed. This makes for a more enjoyable experience, especially with younger children. Luckily, the Smokies have a lot of places that fit the bill!
With a little organization and the right Gatlinburg photographer, your extended family photos will be a great experience for everyone involved. If you’re hoping to get some photos done before the summer ends, book now! I’d love to capture these important moments for your family.
