Extended Family Sessions
Extended family sessions have grown in popularity so much over the recent years. These are sessions where multiple smaller family units gather together for a joint photo session. Above is a photo of my own extended family session. Although we have a smaller family, this was still such a special occasion and I will cherish this image, along with all the others from this session, for all my years.
How do extended family sessions work?
DATE
Typically one family member contacts me and acts as the middle person between myself and the rest of the family units. Together we all come up with a date for your session. Typically this is a lot of work. I recommend setting a date far enough in advance to allow everyone enough time to make arrangements. Sometimes planning a session around an anniversary party or special holiday is easier for everyone.
LOCATION
After a date is set, location and time decisions are next. I only do these types of sessions outdoors, but there are so many options. A park or your family property are some of the most popular choices. I travel within a 20 mile radius of my home in the Town of Batavia. Anything outside that 20 miles is an added fee of $0.62/ mile.
WARDROBE
After the date and location is set, it is time for the wardrobe. I send out a prep guide with lots of help and inspiration with your wardrobe. Although it might be tempting to all wear the same thing (ie: jeans and a white t-shirt), I highly recommend everyone steer clear from matchy matchy outfits. I also have a client closet that is available to all clients!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
These extended family sessions are so special. Many people were able to come together at the same time and same place, in nice clothes! Let's face it, there are only a few times in life that this happens and one of the times that it happens, it is too late for the family photo.
During the session, each smaller family will have the opportunity to have a micro family session where we focus just on that family for 5 or so minutes. After each family has had their micro session, it is time to get all the combinations we can think of. Grandparents w/grandkids, just the grandkids, parents with their kids, grandparents with each family, etc. I ask for a list before the session of all the photos you want and I use that list as a checklist during your session, so no photo is missed.
The only photos I do no matter what, is an individual photo of each parent and each child. As someone who has lost her mom, I know how much those individual photos mean.
Since this session is so special, I do not have many rules. Unlike other sessions I offer, I do not put a time limit for extended family sessions. However I estimate that it will be about 15 min. per smaller family. So if there are 3 smaller family units included in your session, it will take about 45 minutes for your session. Keep in mind, it may go longer or it may be shorter.
For my other sessions, I put a limit on how many final images are included in the session. But again, extended family sessions are special and there is not limit on how many edited final digital images are given. I estimate 1 image per minute of your session. A 60 minute session would get about 60 final images.
All families get a print release so they can print what they would like, when they would like it.
All final images are given to you via an online gallery. Each family will get access to the gallery where you can download the images from the session and order print, if you would like.
One $50 print credit is available for use how ever the family would like. I recommend a large print for the matriarch/patriarch, but it is yours to disperse however you would like.
COST
Each smaller family unit pays a flat fee of $150. The matriarch & patriarch do not pay a cent, because well, let's face it, no one would be here if it weren't for them. Singles pay a flat fee of $60. A deposit of $50 is due at the time of booking and the remaining balance is due at the time of the session.
And that is all there is to it. Message me today to get the ball rolling on your extended family session!
