A Special Johnson Family Gathering: Why Extended Family Sessions Are Worth the Effort
Extended family sessions are some of my absolute favorites to photograph, but they certainly come with a unique set of challenges. When kids grow up, move out, and start families of their own, it becomes increasingly difficult to get everyone in the same place at the same time—especially when you throw in work schedules, school commitments, and in some cases, flights across the country. The Johnson Family’s session was a beautiful example of both the complexity and the reward of bringing everyone together for photos that will be treasured for a lifetime.
This session was no exception when it came to planning hurdles. One of the Johnsons, Sarah Cate, had to fly in from California just for the shoot. With all the aviation delays and cancellations lately, we weren’t sure she’d make it in time. Nikki and I stayed in constant contact in the days leading up to the session, watching Sarah Cate’s flight status like hawks. For a while, it looked like it might not work out. But in a stroke of good fortune—and a flurry of last-minute arrangements—Sarah Cate arrived just in time that evening, her dad coming in on two wheels. We were officially a go! I was so relieved she made it because I knew how important this session was to the entire family.
That morning had started off cool, and I had high hopes for a pleasant evening, but in true Louisiana fashion, the heat and humidity returned full force by sunset. Let’s just say, sweat is inevitable here in the South! But no one let the heat dampen their spirits. The Johnsons came ready with big smiles, great attitudes, and an even bigger love for one another that was easy to capture. There’s something about seeing generations come together in one frame that makes the effort all worth it—humidity and all.
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What I love most about extended family sessions is how much variety we can capture. Not only do we get those classic full-family group shots, but we also break things down to highlight each individual family unit. Parents with their kids, couples, grandkids, siblings—yes, even those grown-up sibling photos that you haven’t thought about since your childhood but suddenly mean so much as time goes on. It’s those images that often become the most cherished. Everyone walks away with something unique for their walls—and for their hearts.
A consistent client favorite is always the grandkid pictures. There’s just something special about watching the pride on grandparents’ faces as they’re surrounded by their grandchildren. And seeing the grandkids together—laughing, hugging, growing in their own friendships—is such a meaningful reminder of the ties that bind. Extended family sessions take work, no doubt. But when everything comes together, like it did with the Johnson Family, the result is always something truly special. These are the kinds of portraits that will be looked back on for decades to come.
If you would like to book your own extended family for your large family, you can check out the details of that session HERE