When this entire extended family gathered last fall for a holiday weekend, they asked me to come do a photo session of the entire clan. That is the perfect time to do a session! It can be so hard to get everyone in the same place — in their case, it certainly wasn’t easy with four grown children and their families living in various cities. One of the families was actually in town from overseas, so this really was just an awesome chance to get everyone together. We gathered at their childhood home, and made sure to take one group photo with the house in the background — because really, it’s part of their family and story, too.

As I look forward to another extended family’s session coming up in March, I was reminded of this one and wanted to share it with y’all. If you’re getting together with your siblings, parents, cousins, grandparents… schedule a photo session. It’ll take just an hour out of your weekend (okay, plus the time and mental energy to dress yourself and your kids!), and you’ll be SO glad you carved out that time for it.

Kate Gelatt