How to Take The Perfect Extended Family Photos
Say cheese without the stress! Learn how to nail the perfect family photos without breaking a sweat.
Volunteering to get the whole family together for a photoshoot might sound like a great idea—until you start organizing it. Between coordinating schedules, managing personalities, choosing outfits, and ensuring everyone (kids and adults alike) is in a good mood, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed just reading that sentence. Yes, Aunt Sue will probably be running late, the toddlers may try to eat dirt, and Uncle Bob will probably insist on wearing his favorite neon windbreaker. It’s okay, it’s FINE, you got this.
Here’s the good news: with some planning, your extended family photoshoot can be more than just a stressful obligation—it can be a fun, memorable, laughter-filled experience that results in beautiful photos you’ll love forever.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know: how to keep things lighthearted amidst the chaos, the best posing strategies, what to wear, ideal locations, and even how to present your final images. By the end, you’ll feel fully prepared and have a game plan that makes the entire process run more smoothly so you can focus on enjoying the moment—not just surviving it.
Getting a large family together for a photo shoot is a lot. There will be toddlers who refuse to stand still, teens who would rather be anywhere else, and at least one adult who will suddenly transform into a photography director, instructing the photographer on the “best angles.”
But wait, before you start stress-sweating, here are a few initial tips to keep the vibes high and actually enjoy the process:
Nobody likes feeling unprepared—especially when outfits and cameras are involved. Prevent the “What are we doing?” panic before the big day by setting expectations a month to a week in advance.
You can also send out reminders the day before (because you know how things tend to get lost via text!) Send a quick group message or mass email with the plan: where to meet, what to wear, and how long it’ll take. That way, no one is caught off guard or showing up in a Hawaiian shirt.
Large family photos take time but don’t have to feel endless. Plan for quick transitions between groupings—snap a few photos and move on before kids start melting down, teens start scrolling, and adults start peeling off “to make a quick call.”
Remember, attention spans are limited, and breaks are your friend. Bring water, snacks, and maybe even a bribery treat for the little ones.
Some of the best extended family pictures aren’t the perfectly posed ones—they’re the candid ones that capture the real stuff. The belly laughs, side hugs, and the authentic moments and interactions of deep connection.
Encourage movement, inside jokes, and silly faces. Let the kids be kids. Let the grandparents share their stories. Let the chaos unfold a little—you’ll be glad you did, and it will make for the best memories.
Nobody’s real family resembles a stock photo. There will be flyaway hair. One of the kids will probably blink, and Uncle Mort may be captured mid-sneeze. But that’s life—and real life is way more fun than stiff, awkward, and staged smiles.
Instead of forced poses, let your family’s personalities and quirks shine. Years from now, you won’t be zooming in to analyze posture—you’ll be cracking up at how unapologetically “your people” these photos are.
At the end of the day, family photos should feel like a celebration, not a chore. So take a deep breath, roll with the chaos, and trust that the magic is happening—even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.
Wrangling a big family for a group photo can feel like herding a group of caffeinated squirrels. Someone will go missing or suddenly need a bathroom break, and before you know it, Grandma has checked out. That’s why having a posing game plan is key—because the faster you move, the happier (and more cooperative) everyone stays.
Before photo day, map out all the different groupings you want. This keeps things flowing and prevents that "Wait, did we get one with just the cousins?" moment after everyone’s already left. A solid run sheet lineup might look something like this:
- Full family shot (get this one first before the kids start running wild)
- Grandparents and grandkids (this is the one they’ll frame)
- Just the siblings (childhood rivalries temporarily set aside)
- Individual family units (hello, perfect holiday card material)
- Couples (because parents deserve cute pictures, too)
- Any extras (favorite aunt and niece duo, all the cousins, goofy best-friend uncles, etc.)
Pro tip: Share this list with your photographer to set expectations ahead of time or prepare your own schedule if you’re doing a DIY family photo shoot.
The goal? A group photo that doesn’t look like a rigid roll call. Use natural levels to mix it up—chairs, stairs, benches, or staggered standing and sitting positions. This keeps the photodynamic and helps everyone fit in comfortably.
A simple rule of thumb: anchor the shot with grandparents, parents, or family elders in the middle and arrange everyone around them. This naturally creates a balanced, connected look—plus, it makes it easy for everyone to see where they should go.
This is a family photo, not a middle school dance—nobody should be awkwardly hovering a foot away from each other. Encourage hugs, hand-holding, leaning in, or even a well-timed tickle fight for the little ones. Those natural interactions make for the best, most heartfelt shots (and fewer agitated “Are we done yet?” faces).
With the right plan, your extended family pictures will be less of a logistical headache and more of a fun, easygoing experience. Remember to print and frame them, and not just let them stay buried in your camera roll—because if your photos never leave your phone, did they even happen?!
You want to look coordinated but not cringey. Picking outfits for an extended family photoshoot doesn’t have to be a headache—just follow a few simple rules:
Neutrals, earth tones, or soft pastels keep things looking polished without being too matchy-matchy.
Stripes, florals, and plaids all at once? Yikes. Keep it simple.
If it’s itchy, too tight, or makes a kid cry, it’s a hard no. Happy family members = better photos.
You want timeless family memories, not a walking ad for a sports team.
Follow these, and you’ll get photos that feel coordinated without the family band vibes.
Picking the right spot makes all the difference for large family photos! Here are a few tried-and-true favorites:
Natural light, the beauty of the seasons in full force, plenty of space, and built-in entertainment for kids.
Trying to take photos in the snow? Explore the Ultimate Guide to Winter Photo Shoots.
Relaxed vibes, beautiful backdrop, soft lighting, and barefoot-in-the-sand cuteness.
Cobblestone streets, charming doorways, cool architecture, and character for days.
Cozy, intimate, and (mostly) stress-free with a personal touch.
Choose a place that fits your family’s vibe, and you’re already halfway to a great photo!
First, don’t worry—you don’t need to be a professional photographer to get crisp, clear, large family photos. DIY, or tell your photographer to tweak a few key settings:
This keeps everyone in focus, even when Grandpa is in front and the toddlers are wiggling in the back. Aim for f/8 to f/11.
Kids move fast, so keep your shutter speed quick enough (at least 1/250s) to avoid blurry faces.
This helps with stability and ensures the photographer isn’t just a voice in the background yelling, “Say cheese!”
This gives more editing flexibility later on because someone will blink or have a mystery shadow on their face.
Set it, snap it, and breathe easy—you, your photographer, and/or your camera’s got this!
CONGRATS! You survived the extended family photoshoot, got some fantastic shots, and now…? You put forth a valiant effort—do not let those photos just sit in your phone and collect digital dust! Chatbooks can help. Here are a few ways to enjoy them:
The easiest way to turn your favorite moments into something everyone can flip through—and argue over who looks best. Bonus: They make perfect gifts for grandparents!
Elevate your memories with high-quality prints and seamless panoramic spreads. This durable, layflat design can be displayed for all to enjoy - and show off your whole family’s best traits.
Grandma will ugly cry happy tears over a framed shot of all her grandkids. Subscribe to keep printing your favorite thick, fingerprint-resistant semi-gloss prints and put them front and center—over the mantel, in the hallway, wherever it’ll make you (or Grandma) smile daily.
Celebrate and capture the most important milestone memories. From first dates to golden years, relive mom and dad’s love story in a beautifully designed book made to last a lifetime.
Yes, rallying the whole extended family for a photoshoot takes maximum effort. Coordinating schedules and outfits and navigating Uncle Bob’s bad jokes is not for the faint of heart. But these moments? They’re worth the investment (time, money, and tears). Years from now, you won’t remember the stress of getting everyone to stand still—you’ll remember the joy, hugs, and how your family is when you’re all together.
Enjoy the process AND the final product. Chatbooks is here to help! Turn your memories into photo books, prints, and gifts for your big extended family– they’ll be so glad you did.
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