Extended Family Photos in Central Texas
For years—literal years—my mom has been dreaming about updated extended family photos. The kind that live framed over the fireplace and line the hallway, telling the story of our family as it grows. But between the birth of grandchildren, busy schedules, and life simply being life, the timing never quite worked out.
A few months ago, during one of our very regular phone calls, she was venting about how difficult it had been to actually book a family photoshoot. She sounded so discouraged.
Half-joking, I said, “Well… I have a tripod.”
She paused and replied, “But really—would you?”
And in that moment, I knew the answer was yes.
Not just because she’s my mom, but because I understood how much these photos meant to her. And honestly? It felt like the perfect opportunity to fully step into the full-service family photography experience I’ve been building over the past several months.
Planning an Extended Family Photoshoot (With 11 People!)
This wasn’t a casual “show up and hope for the best” kind of session—especially with 11 people, multiple nuclear families, and grandchildren involved. I walked my mom through a full (but relaxed) design consultation, making sure I understood exactly how she envisioned these photos living in her home.
Once I had clarity, I went all in.
I created a very thorough shot list that included:
- The full extended family
- Each nuclear family
- Individual grandparents
- All the grandchildren together
- Smaller groupings and combinations
Because I’m extra (and proud of it), I also put together a slideshow for the entire family that included outfit inspiration, color guidance, and visual examples. I followed up with each family—multiple times—about outfits, because coordinating that many people is no small task. But it matters. Cohesive outfits are everything when it comes to timeless family photos.
Choosing the Perfect Outdoor Location in Central Texas
After researching several options, I landed on McKinney Falls State Park for our session. It’s a beautiful outdoor photo location outside of Austin offering space to spread out, natural textures, and beautiful light—at least in theory.
When we arrived… I had a brief internal meltdown.
Most of the trees were dead. The ones that weren’t were facing the wrong direction, and we were working with the sun at a high angle. Not ideal. I gave myself ten minutes to walk the path in my mom’s boots (do not recommend) and just look.
And then I found it.
The most beautiful red oak, bursting with vibrant orange leaves—exactly what I had imagined.
The Session (and a Little Tripod Magic)
We gathered the entire family at that one perfect spot and started with the tripod photos, making sure we captured the big group first. From there, the session flowed naturally into smaller groupings, candid moments, and genuine connection.
And somehow—despite the stress, logistics, and moving parts—the photos turned out even more beautiful than I expected.
The light. The colors. The connection. The joy.
Every image felt like a true reflection of our family.
Why Full-Service Family Photography Matters
This session was a reminder of why I believe so deeply in full-service family photography. When someone is guided through planning, outfits, locations, and shot flow, they get to show up and enjoy the experience—instead of feeling overwhelmed by it.
Seeing my mom’s reaction—knowing these photos will hang in her home for years—made every ounce of effort worth it.
If you’ve been putting off family photos because it feels too overwhelming to plan, I’d love to help. You don’t have to figure it out alone—and your family’s story is worth preserving beautifully.
