Making Memories: Why Your Beach Vacation is the Perfect Time for Extended Family Photos

If your whole crew is heading to the beach this year—grandparents, cousins, siblings, all of you under one (sunny) roof—it’s the perfect time to hit pause and capture it all. These are the days you’ll want to look back on. The ones where kids run wild in the sand, grandparents soak up the chaos with a smile, and everyone’s just a little more present because the to-do lists are on hold.

When Everyone’s Already Together

One of the hardest parts about extended family photos is just getting everyone in the same place. But when you’re already on vacation together, that part’s handled. No juggling schedules, no one racing in from work—just everyone relaxed, sun-kissed, and maybe a little salty from the ocean air.

These are the rare moments when all the generations show up. And that’s worth documenting.

Why the Beach Works So Well

The beach gives us this soft, natural backdrop that lets your family shine. We’ve got room to move, space for real connection, and the kind of light that makes everything feel a little extra magical. It’s not stiff or staged—it’s movement, laughter, and those small in-between moments that mean the most.

Kids digging in the sand. Grandparents wrapped up in hugs. Cousins giggling in a pile. That’s the good stuff.

Capturing Generations—Together

These extended family sessions are about more than just getting everyone smiling at the camera. They’re about preserving the relationships and connections that make your family yours. Grandparents with their grandkids. Siblings side by side again. Whole families wrapped in one another’s arms. It’s the kind of thing that turns into heirlooms.

I’ll guide you through different groupings—whole family, individual families, siblings, cousins, grandparents with the littles—so you end up with a gallery that tells the full story.

A Few Quick Tips

·       Sunrise or sunset light is the dream—soft, flattering, and beautiful.

·       Stick with soft, neutral tones—whites, creams, pale blues, muted pastels. They always photograph well at the

beach.

·       No need to match perfectly—coordinating is key.

·       Don’t worry about the size of your group. I specialize in extended family sessions and know how to make sure everyone looks their best (and that we actually get some genuine smiles in there, too).

Let’s Make Some Magic

The photos, of course, are important. But so is the experience—gathering together, barefoot in the sand, laughing between shots, and sharing that hour as a family. You’ll walk away with more than just beautiful images. You’ll have a memory of that time together.

So if your extended family is heading to the beach this year, let’s set aside a little time to document it. These photos will outlast the tan lines and beach toys—and one day, they’ll be the heirlooms your kids show their kids.

I’d love to photograph your family this summer. Reach out if you want to chat more about making it happen.