Extended family pictures are one of the best ways to document your family as it is right now. If you’re responsible for coordinating grandparents, siblings, cousins, spouses, toddlers, schedules, and outfits, they can also feel a little overwhelming.

One family member is flying in from out of town. Someone forgot what color they’re supposed to wear. Grandpa wants to eat dinner at 5:00 PM. The toddlers skipped their naps.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

After photographing hundreds of families throughout San Mateo County and the San Francisco Peninsula, I’ve learned that successful extended family pictures are rarely about perfect poses or perfect outfits. They’re about creating a simple plan, reducing stress, and making the experience easy enough that everyone actually shows up. If you’re looking for a relaxed, guided Bay Area family photography experience, that’s exactly what I aim to provide for every family I photograph.

The good news is that with the right preparation and guidance, extended family pictures can feel surprisingly simple.

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Extended Family Pictures at a Glance

Best Time of Year: Spring and Fall

Best Locations: Washington Park, Laurelwood Park San Mateo, Leo J. Ryan Park, Redwood Grove, Half Moon Bay

Ideal Group Size: 8–30 people

Session Length: 60 minutes

Best Colors: White, khaki, light blue, cream, sage, rust

Who Should Be Included: Grandparents, parents, children, cousins, and pets

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What Are Extended Family Pictures?

Extended family pictures bring multiple generations together in one photography session.

Unlike a traditional family session focused on a single household, extended family pictures often include grandparents, adult children, spouses, grandchildren, cousins, and even family pets.

Many families schedule extended family pictures when relatives are visiting from out of town, celebrating a milestone birthday, welcoming a new baby, or gathering for the holidays.

The result is a collection of photographs that tells the story of an entire family, not just one household.

Years from now, these images often become some of the most treasured photographs a family owns.

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How to Plan an Extended Family Photoshoot Everyone Will Enjoy

The biggest challenge with an extended family photoshoot is usually not the photography.

It’s the logistics.

The larger the group, the simpler the plan should become.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from photographing families is that people don’t need more options.

They need fewer decisions.

Choose one main family organizer.

One accessible location.

One color palette.

Then let the family photographer take care of the rest.

When families try to coordinate every detail, the planning becomes stressful. When families simplify, the experience becomes enjoyable.

If you’re preparing for your session, these family photoshoot tips can help everyone feel more relaxed and confident before picture day.

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How to Coordinate a Large Family Photo Shoot

When people think about a large family photo shoot, they often worry about getting twenty people to look at the camera at the same time.

In reality, coordinating twenty people is usually the hardest part.

My advice?

Remove friction wherever possible.

That lesson came directly from planning my own family photos.

For years, I focused on updating photos of just my husband, son, and me.

It was easy.

Then my in-laws entered their 80s.

Their health began declining. They became more forgetful. Like many families, we started seeing the reality that time moves much faster than we expect.

When my son James was around eighteen months old, we took family photos together.

The next thing I knew, a year and a half had passed.

James was three.

My in-laws were older.

Our dog was older.

And I realized something.

If this happened to be the last year we could comfortably gather together, the most recent photos my son would have with his grandparents would be from when he was barely walking.

That didn’t feel good enough.

So we planned another session.

Instead of making things complicated, I made everything easier.

I texted my in-laws a photo from our previous session and told them they could wear the exact same outfit.

They did.

No shopping, stress or confusion.

Sometimes the easiest plan is the best plan.

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What to Wear for Extended Family Pictures

One of the most common questions I hear is, “What should everyone wear?”

The good news is that coordinating outfits for extended family pictures does not have to be complicated.

One of the biggest mistakes families make is creating too many outfit rules. When you’re coordinating grandparents, cousins, spouses, and multiple households, simplicity is your best friend.

I recommend choosing a simple color palette and allowing everyone to wear clothing they already own within those colors. The goal is coordinated, not identical.

If you’re looking for additional styling inspiration, seasonal outfit examples, and color palette ideas, check out my guide on what to wear for family photos.

And if you’re still deciding between colors, I’ve also put together a complete guide to large group family photo color schemes and outfit ideas that can make planning for extended family sessions much easier.

The easier you make the outfit planning, the easier it becomes for everyone to show up feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to enjoy the experience.

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Best Locations for Extended Family Pictures on the San Francisco Peninsula

As a photographer, I know all the famous locations.

I know the beaches everyone posts on Instagram, the dramatic overlooks, and the redwood trails that show up in so many Bay Area photography blog.

But when it came time to photograph my own extended family, I chose a local park in Burlingame.

Washington Park.

It’s only a few blocks from my in-laws’ home, where my husband played as a child.

It’s where my in-laws now take my son.

The location already held decades of family memories before we ever took a photograph.

One of the biggest mistakes families make is assuming the most beautiful location is automatically the best location.

In reality, the best location is often the easiest one.

My in-laws prefer eating dinner early.

A late sunset session wasn’t realistic.

Instead, we photographed earlier in the evening.

Because I photograph at Washington Park regularly for family, maternity, and senior sessions, I knew exactly where to find beautiful shade beneath the mature trees.

We didn’t need perfect golden hour light.

We simply needed everyone there.

If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some of my favorite Bay Area photography locations for extended family sessions.

Washington Park, Burlingame

Easy parking, mature trees, short walking distances, and beautiful year-round scenery.

Laurelwood Park San Mateo

Beautiful forest views, shaded trails, and plenty of space for larger family groups.

Leo J. Ryan Park

A wonderful option for grandparents thanks to paved paths and easy access.

Redwood Grove Nature Preserve

Perfect for families who love the timeless look of redwoods.

Half Moon Bay

Beautiful coastal scenery and ocean views.

The backdrop matters far less than the people standing in front of it.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Family Pictures

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Ready to Plan Your Extended Family Session?

Planning extended family pictures doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. From choosing the right location and coordinating outfits to creating a relaxed experience for grandparents, toddlers, and everyone in between, I’ll guide you every step of the way. If you’re ready to preserve this season of your family’s story, I’d love to help. Book an extended family session and let’s create photographs your family will treasure for generations.