There’s Something Different About a Session Like This
You know that feeling when everyone you love is in the same place at the same time?
It doesn’t happen often. And when it does, it goes fast.
That’s exactly what a multi generational family session is about. It’s not just about getting a nice photo for the wall, it’s about pausing long enough to actually document this. The full picture. Everyone together.
I had a session recently that reminded me exactly why I love photographing extended families. It had multiple generations, soft greens and neutrals on an open field. The rustic fencing in the background and a group of people who genuinely loved each other.
It started a little structured, the way most extended family sessions do. Everyone focused on “getting the photo.” But the longer we were together, the more it shifted into something real.
And those are always the sessions I think about long after they’re done.
Many of these types of sessions are photographed through Gilmore Studios. The focus is on creating a guided but relaxed experience so families can be together. We don’t want you worrying about what to do.
The Honest Truth About Extended Family Sessions
Here’s what I hear most often before a session like this:
“There are so many of us. Is it going to be chaotic?”
Maybe a little. And that’s actually okay.
Large family sessions do take more time and more intention. But chaos doesn’t have to mean stressful. It just means you need a plan and someone to guide you through it.
That’s my job.
In Utah, especially in open locations around Salt Lake City, the landscape does a lot of the work for you. Simple, open, beautiful. Your family becomes the focus of every single image. Which means the pressure isn’t on looking perfect, it’s on just being with each other.
If you’re planning to make a full experience, many families choose to gather for a meal after. A few great restaurant options around Salt Lake City include:
The Copper Onion – A modern American restaurant known for elevated comfort food and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
https://thecopperonion.com
Red Iguana – A local favorite offering authentic Mexican cuisine and a lively, family friendly setting.
https://www.rediguana.com
Market Street Grill – A classic option for seafood and American dishes, perfect for accommodating larger family groups.
https://marketstreetgrill.com
What I’ve Learned From Photographing Multiple Generations Together
Start with the full group, then break it down
We always start with the big group portrait. Grandparents centered, their kids beside them, grand kids naturally filling in. It’s the one everyone wants, and getting it early means no one is tired yet.
Then we move through smaller groupings: just the grandparents, each individual family, the cousins together. Something shifts when you do it this way. The kids relax. The parents stop performing and start interacting. And the grandparents… they just watch, with that quiet, proud smile that you can’t manufacture.
The best moments aren’t posed
During that recent session, the younger kids reached over and held hands. No one asked them to. It just happened.
Those are the images that matter most five, ten, twenty years from now. I always keep that in mind during sessions like this. We’re not just making photos for today, we’re making something that becomes more meaningful as time passes.
Balance structure with breathing room
I like to start with the more traditional portraits. These are the ones you know you’ll want framed or printed for grandma’s wall. Then we ease into movement and interaction. Walking. Laughing. Letting personalities come through.
Both matter. But you need the space for both.
Coordinate colors, don’t match exactly
The family I photographed did this beautifully. Soft greens and neutrals throughout the whole group. Cohesive without feeling costume-y. It worked perfectly with the natural tones of the location.
If you’re planning a session, pick a palette and let everyone work within it. It makes a bigger difference than most people realize.
If you need help pulling outfits together for a larger group, these stores are great options for coordinated, photo-friendly looks:
Nordstrom – A reliable go-to for elevated, neutral pieces for both adults and kids.
https://www.nordstrom.com
J.Crew – Classic, timeless styles that work well for multi generational sessions.
https://www.jcrew.com
H&M – Budget-friendly options that still photograph beautifully when coordinated well.
https://www.hm.com
Think through your groupings ahead of time
If you come in with a rough idea of the combinations you want, grandparents together, each family unit, all the grandkids, full group, it keeps things moving without feeling rushed. You don’t need a minute-by-minute schedule. Just a loose plan so nothing gets missed.
Why These Sessions Matter More Than You Might Think
Here’s what I always come back to.
Photographing grandparents with their grandchildren, siblings standing together as adults, the full family at this stage of life. These are images that can’t be recreated later.
People change. Kids grow. Time moves faster than we expect it to.
I’ve seen firsthand how much these photos mean after loss. How they become anchors. How a printed image on the wall can hold an entire memory in a way a phone never quite does.
You won’t regret prioritizing this. I’ve never had a family tell me they wish they hadn’t done it.
For photographers who want to learn how to confidently photograph large family groups and run sessions like this with ease, you can learn more at Photographers Roadmap:
https://photographersroadmap.com
Ready to Bring Your Whole Family Together?
If you’re thinking about planning a multi generational session in Utah or the Salt Lake City area, I’d love to help you make it happen.
I’ll guide you through every grouping, keep things relaxed even when the kids have other opinions, and make sure you walk away with images that actually reflect your family right now, in this season.
You can learn more or get started here:
https://gilmorestudios.com
Reach out here and let’s start planning.
Because someday, this moment is the one you’ll want to look back on.
