Extended Family Studio Session with Bonnie’s Family of 20

Extended Family Studio Session with Bonnie’s Family of 20

Photographing extended family sessions in the studio is always such a rewarding experience—and Bonnie’s family of 20 was no exception! I had the best time meeting everyone and capturing such a special gathering of multiple generations all in one place.

Large family sessions bring such a fun, energetic dynamic. There are so many connections, personalities, and meaningful interactions to document, and I truly love the challenge of organizing and photographing bigger groups like this. It’s not just about getting everyone looking at the camera—it’s about creating an image that feels cohesive, natural, and timeless.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing an extended family studio session is the comfort and consistency it offers. Especially here in Alberta, where the weather can be unpredictable (and often cold!), having a warm, controlled environment allows us to focus on creating beautiful portraits without any distractions. The lighting stays perfect, everyone is comfortable, and we can take our time working through different groupings efficiently.

For Bonnie’s session, we captured a variety of combinations, but the full group image was definitely the standout. With a group this size, creating a polished final portrait takes a lot of intention—both during the session and in post-production. That final large group image alone took me about six hours to complete. Every detail matters at that scale, especially knowing it may be printed large for display in their home. From subtle adjustments to refining each person’s placement and expression, my goal was to make sure it was absolutely perfect.

Extended family photos like these become such meaningful keepsakes. They freeze a moment in time that often doesn’t happen very often—getting everyone together in one place is no small feat!

If you’ve been considering booking extended family photos in a studio setting, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s the perfect way to create timeless, frame-worthy images while keeping the experience relaxed and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Here are a few previews from our time together—I’m already so excited about how these turned out!

Photographer: Amy Moedt, Owner/Photographer