There’s something so special about gathering your loved ones together and capturing the joy of being a family. While traditional family portraits are wonderful, an extended family session offers unique benefits you won’t get with a standard session. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, updating portraits for the grandparents, or preserving your family legacy, extended sessions are an amazing investment.
More Time, More Memories
Extended family sessions give us additional time together. This means we aren’t rushed, and everyone can relax, laugh, and enjoy the experience. With the extra time, we can capture both lifestyle moments and posed portraits, ensuring you get a full variety of images that reflect your family’s story.
Perfect for Gifting
Extended sessions make the perfect gift idea for parents and grandparents. Imagine the joy of receiving professional portraits with their children, grandchildren, and the whole family together. These photos are keepsakes that can be cherished for generations.
Everyone Gets Their Own Mini Session
One of the biggest perks of an extended family session is that each family unit within the group gets a “mini session” built right in. We’ll photograph the entire family together, but also capture portraits of each individual family, every child, and even sibling groups. You’ll walk away with a full gallery of both large group shots and intimate family moments.
Lifestyle and Posed Images
With extended time, there’s flexibility to include both traditional posed portraits and candid, lifestyle-inspired images. From playful moments with the kids to classic, timeless family photos, you’ll have a well-rounded gallery that showcases your family’s personality.
Cost Savings for Everyone
Sharing an extended family session among the participating families can make professional photography more affordable for everyone. Instead of booking separate sessions for each family, everyone benefits from one longer session, while still receiving a full set of portraits for their own family. It’s a smart way to capture everyone together and individually without the extra cost of multiple bookings.
Tips for Photographing Little Ones
When young children are part of an extended family session, planning the timing is important. Morning or early afternoon sessions usually work best since kids are more alert and less likely to become tired. Midday sun can be challenging, so selecting locations with natural shade helps keep the lighting soft and flattering.
Some of my favorite parks that provide a mix of open space and shaded areas include:
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Bonnie Park in Strongsville – Offers winding trails, water features, and plenty of shaded spots for comfortable, natural portraits.
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Hubbard Valley Park in Seville – Combines open fields with tree-covered areas, perfect for versatile photo backdrops.
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Buckeye Woods in Medina – Features a balance of wide open spaces and wooded paths, ideal for capturing a variety of shots.
By choosing the right location and allowing kids time to explore and move naturally, we can capture relaxed, authentic moments that truly reflect their personalities and create joyful family portraits.
Memories You Can Print and Treasure
Your photos don’t have to live on a screen. Extended family sessions give you the perfect opportunity to print portraits for your walls, create albums, or gift framed prints to loved ones. These images will become a treasured part of your family history.
Ready to Book Your Extended Family Session?
If you’ve been thinking about updating your family photos, consider making it a full family affair. Extended family sessions are fun, meaningful, and a wonderful way to capture the people you love most.
📅 Contact me today to book your extended family photography session in Cleveland, Strongsville, Seville, or Medina, Ohio and create heirlooms your family will cherish for years to come.
