Extended family photos can be challenging especially as the groups get larger. The combination of a wide range of ages and personalities can make it feel quite intimidating. I’ve compiled my best pose ideas for large groups; employ these and you’ll have the most epic extended family photoshoot yet.
My number one tip is: HAVING FUN! That really is the main focus on extended family shots. It’s already a stressful time, so as the photographer, bring the games, ideas, and energy to make it super memorable and the best photos they will ever have as a group!
You’ll notice a lot of my poses are action shots. It’s time to hone your action shot skills on top of the traditional posing shots and exercise your shutter button cause here we go…
First, we have the classic Ring-Around-the-Rosie, but on steroids. You heard right. Hold hands and instead of the slow circle, speed it up! This makes the littles fly- haha! It makes for so much genuine fun and great action shots especially the squeals and giggles.
Next, we turn the spotlight on the men, but that can get real awkward real quick. We all know they’re not the ones that signed up for this. My secret weapon is having the dads and sons hold hands and turn around and RUN!
After that, have them show off their strength with some flexing. This fun prompt crosses generations and is sure to get some playful responses. Let the girls join too!
Get those moms and daughters real close and then you get real close too. Have them lean forward and it’s time for some laughter. Trust me. Placing their hands in different positions next to each other so that it is not too uniformed, leaning in and giggling. It might feel a little unnatural for them, but it makes for a very natural looking photo.
This tip goes for any photoshoot, but I often find myself at the beach for extended family photos. The family is usually gathered for vacation or reunion so it’s more of a destination. I like to highlight that for them. Get artistic with your surroundings so that some of the images are art: unique images to feature in their homes from their family trip.
Twirling. Need I say more? Some of my favorite ways to capture the essence of girl-hood is throw a good twirl like this one.
Be sure to break up the families into their single units and then have them snuggle in for a group hug.
After the individual family shots, have them stay in their groups but all together. This is an awesome variation to one big blob of family and faces.
Running towards the camera is a no-fail photo.
Leaning over the youngest will level up your standard photos. Once again, those guys can get awkward. A simple set up like this makes it feel a bit more natural and it gives a unique shot compared to the guys lined up together.
It’s also a great way to feature a cranky toddler or baby. You can ditch trying to get the littles to look at the camera and have the family look down at them.
Lastly, and my favorite tip for any family session is let the kids be kids. Let them play and wrestle. Get in the water. Make pyramids and piggyback rides. Then get ready to capture those candids.
And don’t forget to let the adults get in on the fun too. Because, remember, that’s what an extended family photo shoot is all about… having FUN!
You can find more tips and inspiration on my Instagram. Be sure to save and share these poses here!
