I was so excited to photograph this large family along with a few other photographers this fall. We made the drive out to Snoqualmie and walked a bit to this wonderful location. With the mountains, rocks, water, trees, and giant stumps, it was the perfect place to catch natural and relaxed photos. With 5 kids, this couple did an amazing job of allowing everyone to explore so that there was never a forced look to their images. The kids had a great time and the result was fun family photos showing personality and joy.

Family portraits with a big group

It helps to have a plan when photographing a large group. We planned an easy flow to the portrait session to keep things moving along and make sure all the special moments were caught. We had a little bit of a walk to get to our location from where we were able to park. This allowed the kids to get the wiggles out and they were ready to allow some posing right away. We began with the entire family, transitioned to each parent with the kids, dad with the boys, mom with her daughter, back to the full family for some walking shots, sitting poses, and finally just the parents together. This flow allowed kids to run and play in between full family photos.

Fun family memories

Family portrait sessions can be a lot of fun and great memories for everyone. Even with a big group and little kids! There are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you walk away with a great experience.

• Work with your photographer to find the right location and consider things like: How far can family members walk? Are you willing to drive further away or do you need something closer to home? What is the energy level like for your group? What would you like the overall look to be?
• Get help with styling: This group had help choosing a really great color palette and aesthetic that worked wonderfully for this location. Also consider comfort, time of year, and location.
• Choose the right photographer for your family: Do your homework and be sure to choose a photographer whose work you love, personality suits your family, and who will help create a fun and enjoyable experience for you and your family.

Don’t forget to approach your family photo shoot with fun and flexibility in mind. Especially with large groups and small children! It’s okay if not everyone has perfect smiles on their faces or posing as a group is a challenge. Allow the session to unfold with the confidence that your photographer will be able to capture beautiful images no matter what. You might be surprised at how much you treasure those candid photos.

If you want more information about planning your own family portrait session, get in touch. I would love to help you make special memories with your loved ones. This season of your life is worth remembering! Check out my family portrait experience for more information or click the link below to inquire.

Thanks for reading!

XO, Janelle