There’s something incredibly special about extended family photos.
Not just because everyone is together.
Not just because grandma is there.
Not just because the cousins are growing like weeds and the babies somehow aren’t babies anymore.
But because time moves.
And it moves fast.
One minute you’re planning a family dinner, and the next you realize it’s been three years since everyone was in the same place at the same time.
That’s exactly why extended family sessions matter so much.
As a family photographer serving Denton, Dallas-Fort Worth, and beyond, I can tell you this: these sessions are some of the most meaningful sessions I photograph all year.
Weddings are emotional. Newborn sessions are precious. But extended family sessions? They hold generations.
They tell the bigger story.
The roots.
The growth.
The legacy.
And one of my absolute favorite places for these sessions? Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano.
It’s beautiful, versatile, and gives us room for the big group shots and the intimate little in-between moments that end up meaning the most.
Why Extended Family Photos Are Worth It
I hear it all the time:
“We’ve been meaning to do this forever.”
And honestly? That sentence is exactly why you should.
Extended family photos are one of those things families put off because coordinating schedules feels hard.
And yes—getting grandparents, siblings, spouses, cousins, toddlers, and everyone in between in one place can feel like planning a wedding.
But once it’s done?
It’s priceless.
Because these photos become part of your family history.
They become framed prints in hallways.
Albums on coffee tables.
Photos your kids will look at years from now and say, “Look how young grandma was.”
That matters.
Photos freeze people in time.
And when you have multiple generations together? That value multiplies.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano is Perfect for Big Family Sessions
If you’ve never been to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano, it’s one of those locations that just works beautifully for family photography.
It has everything I love in a session location:
Open fields
Natural trails
Beautiful trees
Layered greenery
Golden light
Wide-open skies
And for extended family sessions, space matters.
A lot.
When you’re photographing 10, 15, 20+ people, you need room to move, room to organize, and room for natural interaction.
Arbor Hills gives us all of that.
I especially love it because we can create variety without having to travel all over.
We can photograph:
The full family together
Grandparents with grandkids
Sibling groups
Individual family units
Cousins together
Mom with her sisters
Grandma with her daughters
All in one location.
And it all feels cohesive.
That’s the magic.
The Best Time of Day for Extended Family Photos
If you know me, you know I will always choose golden hour whenever possible.
Always.
That last hour before sunset gives us the dreamiest light.
Soft. Warm. Flattering.
It wraps around skin beautifully and gives your gallery that timeless, cohesive warmth.
Especially at Arbor Hills.
The way the sun drops through the trees and hits the open fields is chef’s kiss.
If you’re booking extended family photos, I highly recommend scheduling around sunset.
Trust me on this.
Light changes everything.
What to Wear for Extended Family Photos
This is one of the biggest questions I get.
And honestly? Styling matters.
A lot.
The goal isn’t to “match.”
The goal is to coordinate.
Think tones, not uniforms.
My favorite combinations for extended family sessions:
Neutral Earth Tones
Cream
Tan
Soft brown
Muted olive
Dusty blue
Soft Elevated Neutrals
Ivory
Camel
Warm gray
Soft black
Muted taupe
Rich Classic Tones
Navy
Burgundy
Rust
Forest green
Warm beige
My biggest styling advice?
Avoid neon.
Avoid heavy logos.
Avoid super bright patterns.
You want timeless.
Because timeless photographs age beautifully.
And for large family sessions, consistency in tones helps everything feel polished.
I always help my families with styling guidance before the session because that part matters just as much as location.
What Makes Extended Family Sessions Different
These sessions move differently than regular family sessions.
They require intention.
A game plan.
Flow.
And honestly? Experience.
Because we’re not just photographing people.
We’re managing energy.
Toddlers get restless.
Grandparents get tired.
Kids lose interest.
That’s normal.
My job is to keep it moving, organized, and fun.
I build these sessions in layers.
We start with the full family first.
Always.
That’s the priority shot.
Then we break down into smaller groups.
Here’s my typical flow:
Full family
Grandparents + grandkids
Grandparents + adult children
Each individual family unit
Sibling groups
Cousins
Special requested combinations
This keeps things efficient and organized.
And nobody feels overwhelmed.
The Photos You’ll Treasure Most Might Surprise You
Of course we’ll get the smiling-at-the-camera shot.
That’s important.
But honestly?
Some of the best images happen in between.
Grandma laughing.
A little hand reaching for grandpa.
Sisters leaning into each other.
A toddler running toward cousins.
Those real moments?
That’s where the heart is.
That’s the stuff you feel.
That’s why my approach is always a blend of guided and candid.
Enough direction to keep everyone looking amazing.
Enough freedom to let real moments happen.
That balance creates the strongest galleries.
Tips for a Smooth Extended Family Session
1. Pick a Date Early
The more people involved, the faster calendars fill.
Especially in spring and fall.
Plan ahead.
2. Choose Outfits Early
Do not wait until the week of.
Start planning 2–3 weeks in advance.
3. Keep Kids Fed
Snacks are your best friend.
A hungry toddler is never the vibe.
4. Keep Expectations Flexible
Kids are kids.
We work with them, not against them.
5. Trust the Process
The magic often happens in the movement.
Not perfection.
Connection.
That’s what we’re after.
Why Grandma Needs to Be in the Photos
This one matters.
A lot.
So many moms and grandmas spend their lives documenting everyone else.
Taking the photos.
Saving the memories.
But not being in them.
Please change that.
Put grandma in the frame.
Put mom in the frame.
Put yourself in the frame.
Because your kids will want those photos one day.
And one day becomes faster than you think.
The photos with grandma?
Those become treasures.
Always.
Extended Family Sessions Are a Gift to Future Generations
This isn’t just about now.
It’s about later.
It’s about your children looking back.
It’s about remembering who was there.
Who built the family.
Who shaped it.
Who loved hard.
Photography preserves people.
Voices fade.
Memories soften.
But photographs remain.
That’s why I believe so deeply in extended family sessions.
They’re legacy work.
They matter.
Why Arbor Hills Creates Such Beautiful Legacy Images
There’s a reason I keep coming back to Arbor Hills.
It feels natural.
Organic.
Timeless.
No distractions.
No trendy backdrops that will feel outdated later.
Just beautiful light, beautiful landscapes, and beautiful connection.
That combination never fails.
And for large families, having room to breathe changes everything.
Kids can move.
Families can relax.
And relaxed families photograph better.
Every single time.
Don’t Wait for the “Perfect Time”
Here’s your sign.
Book the photos.
Don’t wait for everyone to lose 10 pounds.
Don’t wait for the schedules to line up perfectly.
Don’t wait until next year.
Life keeps moving.
The babies keep growing.
Parents keep aging.
Families keep changing.
Now is the perfect time.
Exactly as you are.
Because years from now, you won’t care if your hair was perfect.
You’ll care that you have the photo.
That everyone was there.
That grandma was laughing.
That the cousins were wild.
That the family was together.
That’s the real magic.
That’s the real reason.
Book Your Extended Family Session
If you’ve been thinking about updating your family photos—or gathering everyone together for something meaningful—this is your sign to make it happen.
Extended family sessions at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve create the kind of timeless, connected, joy-filled images your family will treasure for generations.
And I’d love to photograph that story for you.
At April Pinto Photography, my goal is simple: create beautiful, intentional images that feel like your family—warm, connected, and real.
Let’s document your people.
The roots, the branches, and all the beautiful in-between.
Let’s make the legacy visible.
More Than Just Photos | A Styled, Guided, Full-Service Experience
One thing I want my families to know before they book with me?
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
From the moment you book your extended family session with April Pinto Photography, I’m walking with you through the entire process.
And I mean that.
From location planning to timing to what everyone should wear—I’m hands-on because the experience matters just as much as the photos.
Every family receives a custom style guide to help pull everything together in a way that feels cohesive, elevated, and timeless.
Because styling changes everything.
The right textures, tones, layers, and movement in clothing create photographs that feel polished without trying too hard.
And when you’re coordinating multiple families, that guidance becomes priceless.
No guessing.
No stress.
No last-minute panic texts.
Just intentional planning and a smooth experience.
And when session day comes? My approach is a blend of editorial direction and candid energy.
That means I’ll guide you when needed—where to stand, how to angle, how to create natural connection—but I’m also watching for the in-between moments.
The laughs.
The chaos.
The hugs.
The real stuff.
That’s where the magic lives.
The result is a gallery that feels elevated, connected, and full of life.
Not stiff.
Not overly posed.
Just beautifully honest.
And after your gallery is delivered, the story doesn’t end there.
Your images deserve to live outside your phone.
That’s why we offer custom artwork and heirloom keepsakes like handcrafted albums, framed prints, wall art, and beautiful canvas collections designed to become part of your home and your legacy.
Because your family story deserves more than a screen.
It deserves a place on your walls, in your hands, and in the generations that come after.
