The most anticipated activity (after beauty treatments. Anyone else’s eyebrows gone rogue?) is being with friends and family again. Most Mom’s and Grandma’s would give anything to get there extended families together for beautiful images. And there is no better time than right now, with the easing of lockdown restrictions and the spring weather, to create magical moments with your family. Here are 5 other reasons to book an extended family session.

1. It’s hard to get everyone together: It can be a logistical and scheduling nightmare to get everyone together. So when you can manage it why not commemorate it with family photos that will become a part of your family’s legacy?

2. Legacy Matters: Photographs and stories are one of the few things you can pass down. Capturing your now in photographs is giving your future self and family a precious gift.

3. Grandparents: Grandparents grew up in the age of film where professional photography wasn’t as accessible as it is now. Many haven’t been in front of a camera since your (or your siblings’) wedding day. Sure, they have likely been in countless iPhone pictures with the grandkids. However, it’s also nice to have an updated heirloom quality portrait of just them too! I am also willing to bet they’d love one of your family for their home.

4. Cousins: This is also a wonderful and probably rare opportunity for all the cousins to get a photo together. Fun and goofy photos of the cousins will become a family favorite for sure.

5. Easy gifts for the whole year!: Because extended family sessions allow for time to photograph the entire family plus each nuclear family, the result is a year’s worth of easy gifts! Family Album for the grandparents, canvas for your brother. Matted and framed print for your sister, picture fridge magnet set for your toddler. Christmas cards? Check. The possibilities are endless!

These sessions are FUN and crazy and busy and did I say FUN. I have had families bring along cheese platters and drinks and make an ‘afternoon’ of it. Once you are all together in one place you might as well have a great time! Which is what I really love about these sessions, is that it’s a chance to all get together in a beautiful location and I am there to capture it.

If you plan on having a family gathering in Hocking Hills invite me along for the day! Below are some of photos I’ve done at a small family reunion in Hocking Hills. We had such a wonderful day. “We literally have all of your pictures that you took of our family around our house Thank you for all of the beautiful pictures and memories! You are truly the best photographer and have such a talent!” – Jenny Carney