Extended Family Photo Session in Forest Park
There is nothing quite like getting the whole crew together. When this family reached out to book an extended family session, I knew exactly where we needed to go: Forest Park.
With members of the family traveling in from all over, we needed a location that felt classic, offered plenty of variety, and provided enough breathing room for everyone from the toddlers to the grandparents. Forest Park has a way of feeling both deeply historic and effortlessly natural. For this session, we utilized the stunning architectural backdrops near the Emerson Grand Basin and the soft, glowing light filtering through the mature trees on the surrounding paths.
5 Tips for a Stress-Free Summer Extended Family Session
Planning a photo shoot with a dozen or more people is like solving a beautifully chaotic puzzle. Throw in the midwest summer heat, and it can feel daunting. To help you prep for your own family reunion or legacy session, here are my top tips for keeping things cool, organized, and fun.
1. Master the Visual Flow (Without the "Uniform" Look)
Coordinating outfits for 15 people does not mean everyone wears matching white t-shirts and khaki shorts. Instead, choose a cohesive, seasonal color palette.
Summer Palette Idea: Start with a neutral base (like creams, ivories, or cool light grays) and add 2–3 soft accent colors like sage green, dusty blue, or soft rose.
Pro Tip: Have each individual family unit dress in a way that looks cohesive on its own, but blends beautifully when everyone stands together in the big group shot.
2. Time it Right around the Summer Sun
Summer days are long, which means "Golden Hour" (the hour before sunset) happens much later in the evening—often around 7:30 or 8:00 PM.
If you have very young toddlers who turn into pumpkins by 7 PM, don't force a sunset shoot. Instead, ask your photographer about a sunrise session or shooting in heavily shaded, tree-lined pockets of the park where the light is soft even earlier in the day.
3. Send Your Photographer a "Must-Have" Shot List
Extended sessions move fast, and the last thing you want is to realize on the drive home that you forgot to get a photo of just the adult siblings together. Before the session, write down your priority groupings. A standard workflow looks like this:
- The Entire Crew (Get the biggest, most complex shot done first while the kids have the most energy!)
- Grandparents with all the Grandkids
- Grandparents with their Adult Children
- Individual Family Units (Mom, Dad, and their kids)
- Couples (Don't forget Mom and Dad, and Grandma and Grandpa alone!)
4. Build a "Summer Survival Kit"
Midwest summers are beautiful, but they can be humid. Keep everyone smiling by packing a quick survival bag:
- No-mess snacks and water: Avoid chocolate or colored juices that can stain clothes. Stick to fruit snacks or puffs for the little ones.
- Blotting papers and touch-up powder: A lifesaver for shine when shooting outdoors.
- A portable battery fan: Perfect for cooling down babies (and grandparents) in between shots.
5. Embrace the Chaos and Prioritize Connection
Your gallery will be full of photos of everyone smiling as well as photos of hugging, giggling, and geniune smiles. . Let the kids run, let the dogs bark, and just focus on enjoying being together.
Have questions about coordinating your large group? Don't let the stress of planning outfits or wrangler toddlers hold you back from making these memories. I’m here to help you coordinate every step of the way, from picking the perfect Forest Park backdrop to building your custom shot list.
