Including Extended Family: How to Capture Moments with Holiday Visitors

Wondering how to pull off the perfect extended family photo session while everyone’s back in town?

You’re definitely not alone. Picture this: chairs being dragged into place, someone running back to adjust their shirt, two toddlers trying to climb a rock, and your aunt calling from the car because she forgot where the park entrance is. It’s chaotic, a little hilarious, and absolutely beautiful. This is real life. And to me, it’s the perfect kind of session.

Over the Christmas holidays, I photographed a family of nineteen – yes, nineteen. Nine were children. Four of those were under the age of three. Oh, and two sets of twins. I remember wading through the river in my jeans, trying to edge closer to swans while everyone laughed. Despite the whirlwind, we captured so many genuine, joy-filled moments that the family now treasures. It’s not about perfection – it’s about preserved connection.

Sharing precious time together is rare, especially when generations gather in one place. That’s what makes extended family sessions so important… and wonderful.

Why Extended Family Sessions Matter (and Don’t Have to Be Stressful)

I completely understand that including visiting relatives – especially during the holidays – can feel overwhelming. There’s limited time, lots of personalities, and usually a bit of jet lag to push through. Add in younger kids, older grandparents, and unpredictable Australian weather, and it’s no wonder you might feel anxious.

But these sessions don’t have to feel chaotic. In fact, my heart is full when I guide families through this exact scenario. With warmth, a calm but structured approach, and attention to each generation’s presence and importance, we create photographs that feel timeless and true to your family story.

Over the years, I’ve developed a natural rhythm that brings out the best in everyone – without pressure or stress.

How I Make Extended Family Sessions Work Beautifully

Start With the Big Picture

We begin with the entire group while everyone is fresh and (often) on their best behavior.

• Large group photo right at the beginning while energy is high
• Everyone facing in the same direction, relaxed and gently guided so no one feels awkward
• Laughter is encouraged! The more fun we have, the more authentic the smiles become

This is the cornerstone image – you’ll be so glad to have a photo of everyone in one frame.

Move Through Generations with Purpose

Once that main shot is complete, I move through a sequence that allows each part of the family to shine, without overwhelming the younger children (or the adults).

Here’s what my mental schedule generally looks like:

• Grandparents with all the grandchildren
• Cousins together – a big hit with both kids and proud aunties!
• Individual portraits of the littlest ones (captured while they’re still in a good mood)
• Nuclear families: parents with their own children
• Siblings together
• Then, we all pause for a break! Breaks are so important. Kids can play, adults chat, and I can float back in to capture truly candid magic that happens naturally during the pause.

Finish Gently as the Energy Settles

After the break, we move on:

• Grandparents with their adult children (partners too)
• Couple photos for the grown-ups (many don’t realise how lovely this can be!)
• I stay flexible and open, always calling out “Who wants to go next?” so no one feels left out

Sometimes the quietest family members are the ones who surprise you – once they see how much fun it is and how easy I make it, they ask to jump in for a portrait too. And I absolutely love that.

Style That Brings It All Together

If your family can coordinate outfits in complementary tones, it really enhances that timeless feel. Not matching, not overly formal – just colours that connect beautifully across the generations.

But even more important than outfits? Your presence. Simply showing up and making the time to be together is what creates images worth framing, albums worth browsing, and memories worth keeping.

Why These Sessions Truly Matter

When families come together – whether it’s once a year or once in a decade – that connection deserves its place in your visual legacy. Extended family sessions aren’t just about a nice photo for the wall. They’re about acknowledging every person who makes your family what it is today.

As someone who’s lost both her parents, I know deeply why these moments matter. A photograph becomes a way back to voices, to laughter, to small glances passed between generations. When we photograph your parents with your children – or siblings together as adults – we are capturing a piece of legacy.

I always tell my clients: don’t worry if the kids are wiggly or if an uncle makes a goofy face. What matters most is that everyone is there. And that we save that moment before it slips away.

Ready to Capture Your Whole Crew?

If you’ve got family visiting Perth, now is the perfect time to book an extended family photography session. These days are fleeting, but I’ll help you preserve the joy, the connection, and the togetherness in photographs you’ll be proud to hang on your walls.

So, round up your relatives, assign someone as the wrangler (every crew needs one), and let’s make some magic together. All you need to do is arrive on time – I’ll take care of the rest.

To learn more about my Perth family and extended family sessions, visit jessicalockhartphotography.com.au or reach out to chat.

Let’s hold onto these fleeting seasons – and celebrate the beautiful, bustling, perfectly imperfect gift of family.