The Family

Hi everyone! Today’s blog post is going to be a little different, because the content is pretty different from anything that I’ve shared before! So far in my photography career, I have stuck primarily to shooting couples (being engagements, bridals, and weddings) with a few families here and there. And an extended family is a family, no doubt, but they are VERY different when it comes to photographing! Before we jump into some of those details though to clear the air on extended family sessions, I have just a few thoughts to share about this family…

The Nelsons are a family that I have come to love very much over the last year, as I have been able to do several sessions for them since I photographed Ashlynn and Carlens’s bridals and wedding last spring (so yes, more blog posts of the Nelsons to come ;) ). They ALL love each other SO MUCH, and they have always been so kind and welcoming to me— almost like I am a part of their family too— that I find myself not really wanting to leave when it’s time to say goodbye.

What is an “extended” family session?

So why bother distinguishing between a regular family session and an “extended” family session? The wording is there mostly to help you as a potential client understand that there is a difference! And while different photographers may determine what an “extended” family session vs a “regular” family session actually is, my personal definition is that if there is more than one family unit involved in a session, it’s an extended family session! (Example: a husband and wife have five children, who of at least one is married and has their own child/children.) And what that means for you is typically a higher level of investment ($$$) and a slightly different experience.

Why should you have to pay more money to have pictures taken of your family, whether they’re extended or not? Extended families are a lot of work for a photographer to manage, both in the session and later while editing your photos! More people equals more socializing which will make getting the right people’s attention at the right time for their turn for pictures more difficult. And as the number of people increases, usually the patience level of the crowd does as well. When it comes to editing later, I ALWAYS have at least one head swap I have to do, but it usually ends up being more than 10 between all the photos in the final gallery. Depending on the size of the group, 10 is a low estimate! (There was actually an individual missing from this session, and I had to actually edit him in from a cell phone picture his mom sent me. Tell me if you can figure out who it is in the very first photo at the beginning of the post!) Every head swap or other Photoshop-needed edit that I have to make is several more minutes added onto my total editing time for your final gallery. My time is worth a great deal to me, so when several minutes is multiplied by 10 or more, I charge more to make it worth my time! (Cost, however, is always determined upfront and will not change dependent on how much photoshopping I have to do.)

Your experience will always differ from a regular family session because of the number of people, but each extended family session will be different from others depending on the number of people as well! Bare minimum (and I never go bare minimum), each family unit will get at least one family portrait. Depending on the experience you want and have time for, it only gets better from there! The Nelson family had a lot of family units with a lot of children in each family unit (35 people present!) with a tight timeline to stick to, so their session was very formal and mostly included family portraits on the more formal side (less candid moments and genuine interactions). Families with more time or less people/family units, will have the chance to get a few of those candid moments in their final gallery as well! In our consultation before your extended family session, you will have the chance to go over all of the different groups that you want to capture during your session, and I will make sure you get everything on your list, and perhaps even a few extras ;)

Each extended family session is unique, but should be as stress-free as possible for you! You can rest assured that I will be able to manage your family, no matter the size (thank you, wedding photography experience!) and give you excellent pictures for you to reflect on forever :)

These photos were done at Shade Home and Garden, a GORGEOUS venue that I would 100% recommend for any of your events! All photos were done outside, but they have a reception room inside that is so worth checking out!

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