How to plan for a Three Generations Family photoshoot
1) Questions family members frequently ask
2) Photographer’s answers
3) Some frequent situations during an extended family photoshoot
4) The usual sequel for an extended family photoshoot
5) Do you need to plan/direct your photographer?
Organising a Three Generations Family Photoshoot is challenging. The coordinations, the logistics, and the timing. Not to mention the questions raised by family members that you might be unsure too.
“What do we wear?”
“What is the photographer going to photograph first?”
“Are there going to be any individual family portraits taken?”
Related Read: Extended Family Photoshoot Studio Experience
Questions like “What is the sequel of the shoot going to be?” is often raised. It is impossible to answer this question directly because with extended family, there’s a wide age range involved (easily from 0 to 99 years old) and we all know working with humans are tricky.
Our answer is simply “There is no fixed sequel”. It all depends on the situation of the day.
Now before you get more questions, hear me out first.
“There is no fixed sequel to a Multi Generation Photoshoot because it all depends on the situation.”
— Ling, Photographer
Here’s one frequent situation: a toddler having a meltdown or simply feeling a bit shy and needing some time to warm up. And when this happens, we will often shoot other individual families first, giving the little toddler some time to observe and calm down.
On the other hand, it could be grandmother’s still getting her makeup done, and hence we proceed with photographing smaller individual families first.
OR the situation could be that everyone is present but one member needs to rush off (be it work or other commitment) and hence we need to photograph the full extended family first.
It all varies and can be quite endless.
Hence, you can see, there are no fixed sequels, no fixed rules. It all depends on the situation and that is exactly why you are hiring a professional photographer. Our job is not just photographing, rather, we are hosting you and your family. It will be a fully guided session that is tailored and personalised to the dynamic and needs of each specific group.
“This is exactly why you are hiring a professional. We host and guide your family. Our job is not just photographing, rather, we make it a fun party!”
To help you visualize how a usual shoot usually flows, here’s our plan for an extended family photoshoot. (Do note this is a ROUGH flow of shoot, session-flow will depends on situation)
Natural light colonial Sitting area
1) Grandmother solo
2) Grandfather join in for couple picture
3) Grandchilden join in for Grandparents + Grandkids
4) Rest of family members join in for a full extended portrait
5) Individual Family photos
Natural Light window setting
7) Grandparents’ couple photo
8) Everyone join in for full extended family portrait
9) Individual Family photos (Family members to take turn changing outfit at this point)
Formal Studio backdrop
8) Grandparents’ solo portrait (Family members to take turn changing outfit at this point)
9) Extended Full family portrait
10) Individual family portraits
While it is important to plan ahead so as not to waste precious time, sometimes there may be unforeseen circumstances that require a quick change of plan. Do you need to plan and/or direct your photographer? Absolutely no need to. We combine years of experience and having met thousands of families, let us host you and direct you.
Of course, every family is unique and has a different dynamic and relations. Rest assured though that we will be flexible and accommodate your needs!
Let’s chat and discuss more about your next Three Generations Family Photoshoot with us!
