Multigenerational Family Sessions
Getting three or four generations in the same place at the same time is hard enough. Here is how to make the most of it when it happens.
Why These Sessions Matter So Much
I am going to be direct about this: multigenerational photos are the ones families treasure the most. Not the perfectly posed newborn shots, not the artsy senior portraits. The photo of four generations standing together, grandma holding the baby, great-grandpa's hand on his grandson's shoulder, kids piled around like chaos. Those are the photos that get framed, passed down, and cried over.
The reality is that getting everyone together is rare. Families are spread across the country. Grandparents visit for a week in the summer or over the holidays. Great-grandparents are getting older. When it does happen, it is worth documenting properly, not just with a phone held at arm's length at a restaurant.
Planning the Logistics
The biggest challenge with multigenerational sessions is not photography. It is logistics. Here is how I help families plan:
Pick a Date Early
As soon as you know when the family will be together, reach out. Holiday visits, summer vacations, reunion weekends. Lock in the session date before everyone's schedule fills up. I am flexible on timing, but the family's availability window is usually narrow.
Choose an Accessible Location
This is critical. If grandma uses a walker, we are not hiking to the top of Chautauqua. I choose locations where the oldest and youngest family members can both be comfortable. My top picks for multigenerational sessions:
- Wonderland Lake: Flat, paved trail around a beautiful lake with mountain reflections. Easy parking, benches along the way, and plenty of room for a large group.
- Lower Chautauqua meadow: You can park right at the trailhead and walk less than a hundred yards to the open meadow with Flatirons views. The ground is mostly flat grass.
- Boulder Creek Path (near the library): Paved, flat, shaded by cottonwoods. Benches everywhere. Accessible restrooms nearby.
- Louisville's Coal Creek Trail: A beautiful, flat, paved path with open space and mountain views. Less crowded than Boulder spots and closer for families staying in the south metro area.
Plan for Comfort
I think about things that photographers who only shoot young families often miss. Is there shade for grandparents who cannot stand in the sun? Is there a place to sit down every few minutes? Is the walk from the car to the shooting location short enough? Are there restrooms nearby? These details matter when you have people ranging from 6 months to 86 years old.
How I Structure the Session
With multigenerational sessions, I have a loose plan that keeps things efficient without feeling rushed. Here is the typical flow:
Full Group First
We start with the big group photo while everyone is fresh and the energy is high. This is the one where I arrange people, make sure faces are visible, and take several variations. I know this is the shot everyone needs, so I do not leave it for the end when people are tired and kids are over it.
Family Units
Next, we break into individual family groups. Mom and Dad with their kids, each sibling's family, etc. While I am shooting one family, the others can relax, chase kids, or grab water. This keeps the pace comfortable because not everyone has to be "on" the whole time.
The Special Combos
This is where the magic happens. Grandparents with all the grandkids. Great-grandma with the newest baby. Three generations of women. Cousins together. These are the photos that make people emotional, and they are the ones that often do not happen unless someone is intentional about getting them.
I keep a mental list of combinations and work through them efficiently, but I also watch for moments that happen on their own. A grandfather lifting a toddler onto his shoulders. A grandmother whispering to a grandchild. Cousins who have not seen each other in months falling into a giggling pile. Those candid moments between the posed ones are gold.
Candid Time
For the last portion of the session, I step back and let the family just be together. Walk along the path. Sit on a blanket. Let the kids run. This is when I get the documentary-style shots that feel the most real: the wide shot of the whole family walking together from behind, the close-up of hands, the overhead look of everyone in a circle.
Outfit Coordination for Big Groups
Coordinating outfits for 10 to 20 people sounds overwhelming, but it is simpler than you think. Pick a palette of three or four colors that everyone draws from. My go-to recommendation for multigenerational groups:
- Base colors: Navy, denim, cream, white
- Accent colors: Olive, rust, burgundy, mustard
- What to avoid: All black (too heavy in photos), neon anything, big logos, very busy patterns
Let each family unit pick their pieces from the palette. Not everyone needs to match. The goal is that when you look at the group photo, the colors feel harmonious without looking like a uniform. Grandparents tend to gravitate toward classic pieces (a navy blazer, a cream sweater), and that is perfect. Let everyone dress at their own comfort level within the palette.
The Most Important Thing
Do not wait. If the family is getting together this summer, book the session. These windows are limited, and the number of times you will have three or four generations in the same place is smaller than you think. The photo of everyone together, imperfect and real and alive, is the one your family will value most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if grandparents have mobility concerns?
I choose locations with accessibility in mind. Wonderland Lake has a flat, paved loop trail. Boulder Creek Path is completely flat and stroller-friendly (which also means wheelchair and walker friendly). Many Chautauqua spots are reachable from the parking area without much walking. I also bring a portable bench or blanket so grandparents have somewhere comfortable to sit. Tell me about any mobility needs ahead of time and I will plan around them.
How long does a multigenerational session take?
Plan for about 60 to 90 minutes. That gives us time for the full group shot, individual family units, grandparents with grandkids, cousins together, and some candid time. I build in rest breaks and keep things moving so nobody gets worn out. Large groups (15 or more people) may need closer to 90 minutes. Smaller groups can usually finish in an hour.
How should we coordinate outfits across three or four generations?
Pick a color palette, not matching outfits. Choose three or four colors that work together (earth tones are the easiest: navy, cream, olive, rust, denim) and let each family pick from those colors. This way grandma is not wearing the same outfit as a teenager, but everyone looks cohesive in the photo. Avoid bright white because it pulls focus, and skip anything with large logos or busy patterns.
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Have a question about your session?
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