Making extended family photos fun can completely transform the experience and the final gallery. One of my favorite recent sessions was the perfect example of this. Instead of jumping straight into posed portraits, we built the session around something meaningful: Grandma’s 60th birthday.
We started the evening at their vacation rental with a casual birthday celebration. There was cake, ice cream, and the kind of easy, joyful energy that naturally comes when everyone is gathered together for a reason. Beginning this way helped everyone relax right away, especially the kids. Rather than asking them to immediately perform for the camera, they got to ease into the experience while doing something they already loved.
Some of my favorite images from the entire session came from this first part of the evening. Sticky fingers, kids sneaking extra bites of frosting, grandparents laughing in the background. Those candid, in-between moments are often the ones families treasure most. It also gave me a chance to observe dynamics, who gravitates toward who, which kids are a little more shy, and where the natural connections are. That makes a huge difference once we transition into more formal photos.
After the celebration, we headed just down the road to Sand Hollow State Park for the more traditional portion of the session. Because we had already spent time together in a relaxed setting, the formal photos did not feel stiff at all. Everyone was already comfortable, kids had gotten their wiggles out, and there was a sense of momentum rather than pressure.
We moved through full group photos, smaller family units, and a few individual pairings, but kept things light and efficient. As an extended family photographer in St. George, I always build in little prompts, movement, and interaction so no one is just standing there wondering what to do. When people are engaged with each other instead of focusing on the camera, the images feel more genuine and connected.
If you are planning extended family photos, consider building the session around an experience rather than treating it like a standalone task. Start with something fun and meaningful, whether that is a birthday, a meal, or even just time spent hanging out together. As a St. George family photographer, I have seen how much this approach changes not only the experience, but the final images as well.
At the end of the day, the goal is not just to get one good photo. It is to capture what it actually felt like to be together.
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