Including Extended Family: How to Capture Moments with Holiday Visitors

When you think about the chaos of having grandparents, cousins, babies, and teens all together for the holidays, you might also think: Is this honestly the best time to schedule family portraits in Dallas? And I completely understand why. Extended family sessions can feel overwhelming… like juggling a dozen plates while someone tells you to smile.

But here’s the thing: these moments don’t come around often. Life scatters us across cities and time zones, and when we do gather again, it’s usually short-lived. Over the past few years, after losing too many loved ones, I learned just how sacred it is to have photos of the people we love, together, while we still can.

If you’ve been thinking about including extended family in your next session, especially during the holiday season, let’s talk about how to make it purposeful, enjoyable, and completely doable.

Why Extended Family Sessions Matter (Especially Now)

There’s so much beauty in generations coming together, grandparents holding new grandbabies, siblings reconnecting over coffee, cousins chasing footballs across the yard. These are the bonds that shaped us, the ones we pray our children will value as they grow.

But I know how hard it can be to imagine all of that translating into a calm, beautiful photography session. Add in kids with short attention spans, tired relatives fresh off a flight, coordinating outfits, and somehow everyone’s supposed to smile on cue?

Here’s where the right approach makes all the difference. At Kayla Mari Photography, extended family sessions in Dallas aren’t rushed. They’re thoughtful, guided, and designed to feel relaxed – because the only thing more important than the photos themselves is the experience of making them.

Tips for Beautiful, Stress-Free Extended Family Photos

1. Slow Down, Start Simple

I always begin with the whole group together – a traditional family portrait with everyone present and smiling. It’s simple, familiar, and gives everyone time to get grounded.

From there, things become more fluid. We tuck into smaller groupings – siblings with parents, grandkids with grandparents, mom and dad taking a quiet moment together. This structure creates a diverse, inclusive gallery without feeling chaotic or repetitive.

When a session isn’t rushed, the mood shifts. Children have time for breaks, emotions can settle, and older family members aren’t hustled through. It becomes less about posing and more about presence.

2. Think About Timing (Not Just Light)

Yes, golden hour light is beautiful. But so are toddlers who aren’t melting down after skipping their nap. When working with extended families, especially over the holidays, I always recommend choosing a time of day that works for the youngest family members first.

We can still find soft, lovely light in the morning or early afternoon depending on the season and location. What matters more is that everyone feels comfortable – especially the little ones.

3. Outfit Coordination Without the Stress

This may be one of the most common worries I hear: “How do we dress a group of 10 people across 3 generations without looking like we’re in a choir?” My approach is to simplify color palettes and lean into textures and tones that coordinate without matching.

When you book an extended family session, I offer personalized wardrobe guidance for everyone involved. I believe in making this part feel easy so you can focus on what matters. Neutrals with subtle patterns, rich seasonal tones, and soft flowy fabrics almost always scan beautifully on camera.

4. Remember Your Why

It’s easy to let the stress of logistics cloud the reason you’re doing this. My best advice? Keep coming back to this: You never get this time back. Document it while you still can.

Whether it’s your parents flying in for Christmas or adult siblings all in the same town for one rare weekend, these aren’t just photo ops. They’re moments worth preserving because they mean something – especially to your children, who are growing up right in the middle of these memories.

Preserving Moments You’ll Be Thankful For

Family photography is about more than capturing smiles. In many ways, it’s about honoring legacy, connection, and the people who shaped your story.

I’ve worked with families where the session was the last photo with a grandparent, the only image of all adult siblings together in a decade, or the moment a child truly saw themselves surrounded by love. On the surface, these might seem like “just” portraits, but in truth, they’re heirlooms – reminders that you made time for what matters.

So if you’re considering an extended family session during the holidays, I promise: it doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right care, space, and guidance, it can be an experience you’re genuinely glad you said yes to.

Ready to Include Your Whole Crew This Season?

If your family is gathering in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, this may be the perfect time to create images that will last for generations. I’d love to help you plan something meaningful, calm, and true to who you are.

You can learn more about my extended family sessions here, or reach out directly to start planning. Let’s celebrate all the beautiful yesterdays you’re still lucky enough to hold close.

No moment is too small. No group too chaotic. Just love, presence, and the time to say: we were here – and we were together.