Extended Family Photoshoot Ideas in Dallas-Fort Worth | Plano Family Photographer
Ideas for Your Next Extended Family Photoshoot
updated february 2023
As a Dallas family photographer, I've had the pleasure of capturing countless extended family photoshoots over the years. One of the things I love most about these types of sessions is the unique dynamic that each family brings. Whether it's a big group of siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, or a smaller group of immediate family, each shoot is a special and unique experience.
DALLAS EXTENDED FAMILY PHOTO LOCATION IDEAS
Trust me, I know that choosing a location for your extended family photoshoot can be a bit overwhelming. Dallas-Fort Worth has so many beautiful spots to choose from, whether you're looking for a nature-inspired setting or a more urban vibe. Some popular locations include the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the Dallas Arboretum, and the Klyde Warren Park. When choosing a location for your extended family photoshoot, it's important to consider the personalities and preferences of your family. Think about the kind of atmosphere and setting that would make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. It's also important to consider the time of year, as certain locations may look different during different seasons.
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, I’ve been doing this family photography thing for a while, and narrowed down my absolute favorite, tried-and-true outdoor and studio locations for extended family photo session.
With that said, here are some of my favorite locations to use in extended family photoshoots in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that will help you get the best results.
The great outdoors.
The great outdoors is always a great option for an extended family photoshoot. There are so many beautiful parks and nature preserves in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that offer a variety of different backgrounds and settings. From lush green forests to open fields, the great outdoors is a perfect place to capture your family's love and connection.
My favorite outdoor locations for extended-family sessions in Dallas Fort Worth:
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve — Plano
White Rock Lake, Dallas
Erwin Park, McKinney
The studio.
If you're looking for a more controlled environment, consider a studio setting. Dallas-Fort Worth area is home to many professional photography studios that offer a variety of different backgrounds and settings. From simple and classic to more elaborate and creative, a studio setting is a great place to capture your family's unique personalities and style.
My favorite studios for extended-family sessions in DFW:
The Space on Southside — Dallas
Artist Uprising Studio — Richardson
The Lumen Room — multiple locations across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano
Ultimately, the location of your extended family photoshoot is just as important as the poses and the lighting. With a little bit of planning and a lot of creativity, you can create beautiful and timeless family keepsakes that will be treasured for years to come. Happy shooting!
ALL THE EXTENDED FAMILY PHOTO OUTFIT IDEAS
Another important consideration is the outfits. As a family photographer, I know that planning an extended family photoshoot can be a bit overwhelming. One of the biggest concerns is often what to wear. But don't worry, with a bit of planning and a few simple tips, you can have your family looking their best for the big day.
Coordinating outfits for a large group can be challenging, but it's also a great opportunity to show off your family's personalities and style. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to start by having your family choose a color palette that everyone will dress within for the shoot.
Once you’ve got your color palette decided, consider these tips when deciding what to wear for your extended family photos:
the location.
The location of your photoshoot will play a big role in determining what to wear. If you're planning to take photos in a park, for example, you'll want to wear something casual and comfortable. But if you're planning to take photos in a more formal setting, such as a studio, you'll want to dress up a bit more.
Choose a color scheme.
Choosing a color scheme for your photoshoot can help tie everything together and make your photos look more cohesive. You can choose a few colors that will be worn by everyone or assign a specific color to each family member. Avoid choosing too many different colors, as it can make the photo look cluttered.
Dress for the season.
Take into consideration the season of the photoshoot. In the summer, you'll want to wear light and airy clothing, while in the fall and winter, you'll want to wear layers and warmer clothing.
Dress for comfort.
Remember, you'll be spending a lot of time standing and posing for photos, so make sure everyone is dressed in comfortable clothing. Avoid tight or restrictive clothing that will make everyone fidget and look uncomfortable.
Coordinate, but don't match.
You don't have to dress everyone in identical outfits, but coordinating your outfits can help make your photos look more cohesive. You can coordinate by choosing similar colors or patterns, but still allowing everyone to express their own personal style.
Pay attention to the details.
The little details can make a big difference in your photos. Make sure everyone's hair is neatly styled and that everyone is wearing clean and polished shoes.
Accessorize.
Accessories can add a lot of interest to your photos. Consider adding a statement piece of jewelry or a scarf to your outfit.
Be true to yourself.
The most important thing is to be true to yourself and your style. Don't try to be someone you're not, or wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable. You want to look and feel like yourself in the photos, so that they will be a true reflection of your family.
THE BEST POSES FOR YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY PHOTOS
Once you've got the logistics out of the way, it's time to have fun with the poses and groupings. One popular idea is to have a group shot of everyone together, and then break it down into smaller groups, such as grandparents with grandchildren, siblings, and parents. Another idea is to have each family unit pose together, and then combine all of the images into a composite photo.
With so many people and personalities to wrangle, it can be hard to know where to start. But don't worry, I'm here to help! Here are some of my favorite poses to use in extended family photoshoots that will help you get the best results.
The classic family portrait.
This one is a no-brainer. A classic family portrait is always a great choice for an extended family photoshoot. Have everyone gather together and smile for the camera. You can have the grandparents in the middle, with the parents and children surrounding them. This is a great way to get everyone in the shot and create a timeless family keepsake.
The "branch" pose.
This one is a bit more creative, but I love it! Have everyone gather together and form a "branch" by standing in a line and linking arms. This pose creates a beautiful visual of the family tree and is a unique way to capture everyone in the shot.
The "circle of love" pose.
This one is perfect for a big family. Have everyone gather in a circle, with the grandparents in the center. This creates a beautiful visual of the family coming together and is a great way to capture everyone's smiling faces.
The "generation" pose.
This one is perfect for showing off the different generations in your family. Have the grandparents sitting in chairs, with the parents standing behind them, and the children sitting or standing in front. This creates a beautiful visual of the family tree and is a great way to capture the different generations in your family.
The "fun" pose.
This one is perfect for capturing the playful and fun side of your family. Have everyone gather together and do something fun, like jump or make silly faces. This creates a unique and candid shot that will be sure to make everyone laugh.
The "individual" pose.
This one is perfect for capturing individual personalities. Have each person in the family take a solo shot, doing something that represents their personality. This can be anything from reading a book to playing an instrument, to simply smiling for the camera. This creates a unique and personal shot that will be sure to make everyone feel special.
These are just a few of my favorite poses to use in extended family photoshoots. Remember, the key is to have fun and be creative! With a little bit of planning and a lot of patience, you can create beautiful and timeless family keepsakes that will be treasured for years to come. Happy shooting!
LEAD WITH PERSONALITY
For the more adventurous families, I recommend doing an action shot. This can be anything from a game of catch, to a family bike ride, to a group dance. Action shots are a great way to capture the energy and spirit of your family, and they also make for some of the most candid and genuine moments.
Start by planning ahead. Set a date and location that works for everyone, and make sure to communicate clearly with everyone involved. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that everyone is prepared for the photoshoot.
One of the keys to creating personality-packed extended family photos is to get to know your subjects. Take the time to talk to each person, ask them about their hobbies and interests, and find out what makes them unique. This will help you understand how to best capture their personalities in the photos. Encouraging individuality, meaning each person bringing their own unique style, whether it's a special outfit or a favorite accessory, will definitely help make your extended family photos more unique to your family, and will help each person feel more comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera and will create a more dynamic and interesting group shot. Further, to truly capture the personalities of your subjects, try to capture candid moments. Candid shots often show people in their natural state, which can be more interesting and revealing than posed shots.
Get creative! Break the rules when. it comes to poses and composition. Experiment with different groupings, angles, and perspectives. Try to capture the personalities and relationships within the group. In additional, another great way to personalize your extended family photoshoot is to incorporate props. These can be anything from a family heirloom, to a favorite toy or activity. Incorporating props can add a fun and playful element to the shoot, and also makes for some great conversation starters.
Lastly, don't forget to have fun! Extended family photoshoots can be a bit overwhelming, but they're also an opportunity to create beautiful and timeless memories. So, relax, enjoy the process and try to capture the real personalities of your family.
In a nut-shell, creating personality-packed extended family photos is all about capturing the unique personalities and relationships within the group. It's important to plan ahead, get to know your subjects, encourage individuality, create a relaxed atmosphere, get creative with poses and composition, capture candid moments, use natural light and most importantly, have fun. With these tips and tricks, you'll be able to create beautiful, candid and authentic family photos that will be cherished for years to come.
HAVE FUN!
One of the most important things to remember when planning an extended family photoshoot is to have fun. This is a chance to celebrate the love and bond that your family shares, and to create memories that will last a lifetime. My goal as a Dallas family photographer is to capture the authentic, light-hearted and genuine moments that make your family unique.
No matter what type of extended family photoshoot you choose, the most important thing is to be yourselves and have fun. The photos will be a lasting reminder of the love and bond that your family shares. If you're looking for a Dallas family photographer to help capture these special moments, I would be honored to work with you.
