Melbourne extended family photography session | Fitzroy Gardens
What is an extended family photography session?
An extended family photography session is one that includes grandparents and two or more family groups normally including a whole side of the family as well as several generations in one place. Some common family members to include in your session would be grandparents, your siblings and your and their kids. Other extended family members can also be included like your aunties or uncles if you wish and if you feel that they played an important role in your life growing up.
Why is it important to have an extended family photography session?
Growing up I lived away from my grandparents and their siblings. I can only hold in one hand the number of images I have where everyone got together. Whether your entire family is in the same city or you all live in different corners of the world, extended family photography sessions is a great way to encapsulate this moment in time and it’s about legacy. As I get older I realise that material things around me have changed and all I have left from my grandparents are the images we have together. This is the best time for you to consider getting everyone together.
What time of the year is the best for an extended family photography session?
When planning your extended family photoshoot then consider the following when thinking about the dates for your photoshoot:
Weather: In terms of weather the best time of the year most favorable for an extended family photography photoshoot is Spring and Autumn. During these times of the year the weather is the most pleasant in Melbourne. If you are considering a date in the middle of summer then I would suggest you to consider an early time of the day for your session to avoid the hot weather.
Family occasion: The first thing to keep in mind is that not everyone is going to be as enthusiastic as you to get portraits done. This is why timing your extended family photography session with a birthday, graduation or another significant event is ideal as everyone is open to the idea of getting together anyway and they will make an effort to be available on that date.
Holiday season: definitely a great time of the year when families are ready to put a stop to their routine and when a number of extra-curricular activities stop are linked with the end of the year holidays. This is a great time to consider having your extended family photoshoot. Another great date on the calendar is the Chinese new year, as people travel to catch up with family members and welcome in the new year.
What does an extended family photography session include?
Included in your session is a variety of images of the entire family group together, as well as a combination of generational portraits and also portraits of each family unit. It is important for you to let your photographer know what is the most important subject for you so that I can focus on getting a good variety of images of that particular subject. Extended family photoshoots also include a greater variety of images than the standard family photoshoot.
I hope that this article will help you to start planning your extended family photoshoot and consider getting one the next time your family is in town.