The Question I Always Want You to Answer With a Yes
Here is a question I want you to sit with for a moment.
When was the last time you looked at an old family photo and thought, “I wish fewer people were in this”?
I am guessing never.
If anything, you have probably done the opposite – traced a familiar face in the background, recognized a laugh you had almost forgotten, or felt the warmth of a season of life that slipped by faster than you expected. That is exactly why, when families come to me wondering whether to include the grandparents, the cousins, the aunts and uncles who are all in town for just a few days, I always say the same thing: yes, please bring them.
Multigenerational family sessions are some of my most meaningful work as a Tallahassee family photographer. And I want to share a few things I have learned from doing this work that might make you feel more confident saying yes to one.
The Sessions That Stay With You
I have had two sessions with the same extended family that I still think about.
The first time we worked together, everyone happened to be in town at the same time – one of those rare windows when the whole family is under the same sky. The day we had scheduled came in misty and rainy. To their credit, they were wonderful sports about it. We had already planned the session at a location with a large covered porch on the front of the main building, just in case the weather had other ideas. That porch became our backdrop, and we made something beautiful out of what could have been a disappointment.
A few years later, the same family came back – this time at their beach house on Alligator Point, with some new additions to the family. The grandparents were out on the water with the grandchildren, playful and relaxed, and we captured both the big group moments and the smaller, individual family units.
What I remember most about both sessions is how glad everyone was that they had done it. There is a kind of relief that comes at the end of a multigenerational session – a collective exhale that says, we got that.
What I Want You to Know Before You Book
There are a few things I wish every family knew going into a multigenerational session. These are not things you will hear everywhere, but they matter.
Start With the Group Shot – Every Time
My approach is to photograph the full group right at the very beginning of the session, before anything else. That way, everyone – the grandparents, the littlest ones, the family members who drove the farthest – knows that the most important image is already done. From there, we move through all the other groupings with a lighter energy. I always ask for a list of the specific groupings you want ahead of time so we can move through them intentionally and make sure nothing gets missed.
Mobility and Location Go Hand in Hand
This is something I feel strongly about. If a grandparent or family member has any mobility considerations, please share that with me before we choose a location. I have had families withhold this information out of kindness toward that family member, and what ends up happening is that the person finds themselves in an uncomfortable situation – or we miss out on photos we could have taken at a more suitable spot. There is always a way to create beautiful images that honor every person present. I just need to know what we are working with so I can plan accordingly.
Timing Matters More Than You Might Think
Babies and toddlers are almost universally happier in the mornings. That simple fact shapes a lot of my scheduling conversations with families. When you have multiple generations present – including very young children – the time of day can make or break the energy of the session. I will always talk through this with you so we find a window that works for the whole group.
Family Dynamics Are Part of the Picture
Every family has them. There is no judgment here, only practicality. If there are any sensitive dynamics I should be aware of – specific pairings you would prefer I do not suggest, or groupings that need a little extra care – please tell me. It helps me keep the session moving warmly and smoothly, and it protects everyone involved from an awkward moment in front of the camera.
When You Are Not Sure, Say Yes Anyway
If you are on the fence about including someone, include them.
Not sure if the grandparents should be there? Yes.
Wondering if you should get a photo with all the cousins? Yes.
Worried that including an aging family member might slow things down? It might – and you should absolutely do it anyway.
Those are the photos you will be so glad you took. Family structures change. Time moves faster than we want it to. The images that feel the most optional in the planning stages are often the ones that become the most treasured.
We will always find a way to include the people you love.
Why This Work Matters So Much to Me
I grew up with a father who was a hobbyist photographer. The photos he took of our family over the years have given me glimpses into seasons of life I would not otherwise remember clearly – moments of love and connection that might have simply faded. That is exactly why I believe so deeply that your family is your legacy, and it deserves to be beautifully preserved.
Not just for you. For the generations who come after you.
A multigenerational session is not just a nice idea. It is a gift to your future self and to the people who will one day look back at these images and feel the warmth of a family that showed up for each other.
Let’s Capture Your Whole Family – Together
If you have been thinking about planning a session that includes grandparents, extended family, or multiple generations under one frame, I would love to help you make it happen. Whether you are working around a family reunion, a beach trip, or just a rare week when everyone is in the same place at the same time, there is a way to do this beautifully.
Reach out here and let’s start the conversation.
Because you have so much joy ahead of you – and some of it belongs in a frame.
