If you’ve ever been in charge of wrangling your loved ones for extended family photos — parents, grandparents, siblings, partners, kids, maybe even a dog or two (or five) — you already know it’s… a lot. Someone’s always late, someone’s always over it, someone needs a snack, and someone’s probably making a face in the background.

But what if extended family photos didn’t have to feel like a chore?

What if your extended family session could actually feel like time spent together, not just photos taken together?

That’s the secret most people miss: extended family photos don’t have to be stiff, stressful, or something you do “just to have it done.” They can be joyful, connected, and full of story — a snapshot of what it actually feels like to belong to your people.

Rethinking the Extended Family Photo

Most people come into these sessions expecting the usual lineup: everyone stand in height order, smile at the camera, try not to blink.

But that’s not how I work.

When I photograph extended families, my goal is to document connection, not just composition. I want to see the way your mom laughs when your dad forgets where to stand, or the way your kids run straight into their grandparents’ arms or how cousins huddle together like a sports team stratigizing their next play.

Yes, we’ll grab a few classic group shots (because grandma deserves the mantle photo), but the heart of your session will be all the moments in between — the laughter, the chaos, the tenderness that lives in your family dynamic.

Storytelling Photography Still Belongs (Even With a Big Group)

You may wonder if it’s possible to keep that natural, storytelling energy when there are so many people involved — and the answer is absolutely.

I structure these sessions to give space for movement and mini-moments: cousins playing in the grass, siblings catching up, your parents sharing a quiet second together while everyone else is off doing their thing. I’ll guide when needed, but mostly I’m watching for the unscripted — the kind of moments you can’t plan, but can absolutely feel when you look back.

Because even with twenty (or more) people in front of me, what I’m really photographing are the connections that hold you all together.

Extended Family Photo Logistics (Made Simple)

I know that the hardest part of extended family photos usually happens before the camera ever comes out — the coordinating, the outfit decisions, the “what time works for everyone?” texts that go on for weeks.

That’s why I take on as much of the planning as I can for you. From helping you choose a location that fits your family’s vibe (backyard barbecue? lakeside field? mountain overlook?) to creating a flow that makes sense for the size of your group, I’ve got you covered.

We’ll move between groupings naturally — the big group, smaller family clusters, and all the beautiful cross-generational moments in between — so everyone gets time to breathe, laugh, and just be.

What Makes These Sessions So Special

These sessions hold history. You’re not just gathering for a few photos — you’re gathering for a reminder.

A reminder of how it feels when everyone’s in the same place, when siblings are all running wild together, when your parents are still in the middle of it all, smiling at what they built.

It’s rare to have everyone together like this. And someday, when life shifts and grows and people move and kids get older, these photos become the proof that you all were here together. That it was real, messy, beautiful, and so worth remembering.

How to Make the Most of Your Extended Family Session

There’s no need to over-plan or overthink it — but a few thoughtful choices can go a long way in helping your session feel relaxed, real, and you.

1. Choose a few simple activities.

Think low-pressure, naturally interactive, and specific to your family. Maybe it’s your annual croquet tournament in the yard, boardgames on the porch, s’mores by the fire, or a walk through grandma’s meadow. When your family has something to do, everyone loosens up, and the moments start to unfold on their own.

2. Let the little ones be themselves.

Your daughter wants to bring her favorite book? Perfect. Your nephew won’t let go of his toy truck? Even better. Those little quirks are what make your family’s story feel real — they’re not distractions, they’re texture. Need a few more tips specific to little ones? Click here.

3. Coordinate, don’t match.

You don’t need to put everyone in the same color palette or buy new outfits. Choose tones that feel natural together — soft earth tones, neutrals, or colors that complement the season — and make sure everyone feels comfortable. The goal is for you to look like yourselves, just a slightly more put-together version.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry — every session includes a detailed Session Guide with outfit tips, color inspiration, and examples that help you visualize how it’ll all come together. And if you want a little extra support, you can add 1-on-1 collaborative styling (available to any family session) where you’ll pull pieces from your existing wardrobe (with the option to buy new if desired), talk textures and layers, and build looks that feel authentic and photograph beautifully.

4. Focus on connection, not perfection.

Don’t worry if someone’s hair is out of place or the kids aren’t smiling at the same time. Those unplanned, in-between moments — the giggles, the hand-holding, the chaos — are the ones you’ll actually want to remember later.

5. Consider timing and shared treats.

For families with young kids, try to schedule when the littlest ones are at their happiest — a well-timed snack or nap can make a huge difference in energy and smiles. And if your family enjoys a little snack or treat together, like hot chocolate or cookies, bring it along! These simple moments of sharing naturally create connection and joy, which show beautifully in photos.

6. Trust the process.

I’ll guide you through the groupings and keep things moving so it never feels forced. The best thing you can do is relax, stay present, and let your family’s natural rhythm take over. That’s where the good stuff lives.

If You Want Photos You’ll Actually Love…

If you’re dreaming of extended family photos that don’t just show your people, but feel like your people — that’s exactly what I do.

We’ll still make sure grandma gets her “everyone together” photo, but the real magic will be in the moments between. The way your dad throws his head back when he laughs. The way your kids curl into your lap. The way your family, as it exists right now, feels when you’re all in one frame.

Because the best family photos aren’t perfect — they’re proof of love in motion.

If you’re ready to capture your family exactly as you are, full of connection, laughter, and story, click here to book your extended family session. Let’s make photos you’ll actually love — and moments you’ll remember forever.

[And, if you want to see the Ruppel family’s full gallery, you can check it out here.]