How often do you get together with your whole extended family? If you’re in my family, it’s usually once or twice a year, and there’s usually a holiday involved. One of us may remember to suggest a family photo just as one family unit is putting on coats and heading out the door to go home at the end of the gathering, which then results in a dark, crowded photo with poor lighting and someone’s head cut off as the camera was rested against a book on the mantle with a timer. That, or one person gets left out, and then that person swaps with another person so that there’s a photo with that person in it…. it’s hurried, chaotic, forced, and the result is just a bit underwhelming. The photo is more “proof of life” than “celebration of your family being together,” and then nobody looks at the photo after the event because of all of those reasons above. There are no fun memories attached to those photos. Just the forced nature of the photo.

Here’s an idea instead: Make a conscious choice to document your family all together this holiday season. With just a bit of planning ahead, you can hire a photographer, and make this gathering a real, documented celebration.

If you read “planning” and thought “lots of extra work during a stressful time of year,” then bear with me, because I think I can make this easier, and more fun, than you think.

Little girl sitting on her dad's lap and looking contently toward the camera while he looks away. She has a small smile on her face as she leans back against her dad.

Host extended family photos at home.

(Ugh, my home is not cute.) But think about how cute it is when it’s decorated for a holiday. It’s cozier, with stockings along the mantle. With the handmade ornaments, and stuffed full of love as you fill it with family. Everyone piled up on top of each other in a heap in front of the fireplace.

Consider photos AFTER the holiday.

If attempting to have photos done while also thinking about all the other preparation things you have to do sounds like a total no-go, then consider planning the photographer portion of your celebration for the days after the Big Day. In that lazy, peaceful lull that happens after the Big Rush is over, but before everyone goes home. Give everyone something else to look forward to after The Big Letdown, and save one family tradition for that in-between period. Or start a new one.

Give the session as a gift.

Does your family matriarch want more photos of the family together? (Most do.) Have all the adult kids pitch in and make it a big family gift to her. The literal buy-in from them will mean everyone is on board, and also boom: unique gift idea.

Toddler being carried in her father's arms down an asphalt road in winter. She is looking over her dad's shoulder at the camera and wearing a fluffy purple coat and winter hat with hearts on it. Her hand is on his shoulder and her dimples show.

Have your extended family session during the day.

Lamps and inside lights are cozy for the holidays, but make for terrible photography lighting. Turn off the lamps and overhead lights, leave on the twinkle lights, light a fire in the fireplace, and then use the sun to guide the photos.

Plan a funtivity you were already going to do.

Bake together, decorate together, go for a family walk out of the house together. Save one round of gift-giving for the photographer’s visit. Hang out and read a traditional holiday book together beside a cozy fire. The family tradition options are as varied as families are, and yours can be as special as you want to make it.

4 little girls in various stages of opening gifts in front of a Christmas tree. Two toddlers in the foreground have wrapped gifts while older girl in the background loves her new gift.

Skip the color coordinated outfits.

It’s just one layer of stress you don’t need for your photos. If you’re going for “documentation of a family celebration,” then there’s no reason to force everyone to wear coordinated outfits while you casually hang out at home. Pick out your favorite holiday outfits and release that pressure from yourself. Also as an aside, if your session will be a surprise gift to someone, not forcing coordinated outfits will make that way easier.

Relax, you might not be on camera.

With more people around, there are lots of opportunities to be in (and out of) photos. The camera is not focused on any one individual more than others, and those who prefer not to be the star (looking at you, Dad) can be in photos without the stress of needing to be “on” all the time. You can all just relax and enjoy each other’s company without even realizing who is in a photo at any given time.

Three generations of a family walk together on a road. Grandma leans in to her son, who is kissing his toddler daughter as he carries her. His older daughter walks beside him, smiling at the camera. It's sunny behind them.

That’s it! If you’re looking for a fun way to change it up this holiday season and get some photos of your family while you’re all together, extended family photo sessions at the holidays might be perfect. Click here to start a conversation about how your Thanksgiving or winter holidays could include photography.

7 Easy Ideas for Planning Extended Family Photo Sessions this Holiday Season