Tips to prepare for your extended family photos:
All grandparents wanted for Christmas were extended family photos. They didn't want more stuff. They wanted memories, frozen in time, with their four sweet little grandchildren, so we made it happen! Extended family photos can seem daunting. There's so many different opinions, outfit choices and little limbs to wrangle into the car. But this family knows how fragile life is and how every day is a gift, not guaranteed. So they made time for their family photos. I have a few tips to make extended family photos easier!
Choose one family member to take the lead.
With so many opinions, your extended family photo session may never happen. So choose one family member to be the leader. This person is the one who everyone goes to. This person coordinates all the details with the photographer, including outfit colors, location, and time. This person fills out the family questionnaire, receives information from the photographer and gives detailed instructions to everyone else on what to expect at the session.
Choose a color scheme.
Blues are great because everyone has something blue in their closet. Adhere as much to, or as little to the color scheme as you'd like. These grandparents were very easygoing, didn't want to go out to get a new wardrobe and didn't really mind what everyone wore. Their color scheme was a guideline but not a rule. For more styling tips, read this post.
Let go of expectations.
You've briefed your family on the location, duration and general pose list. You've told them to keep the day-of activities light (so you're not overtired), to eat some food (so you're not hangry) and to have a good attitude. With so many family members and wiggly children, your playful attitude will set the tone for the session. If the adults are easygoing and happy to engage in games and silly laughs, you'll not only leave with genuine smiles, but also with sweet memories. Embrace the quiet moments, the chaos, the tears and the giggles. Embrace it all because these moments at your extended family photos are authentic.
