Timeless Treasures
The Importance of Documenting Memories with Grandparents
Extended Family Photography Sessions
Looking back on my childhood, the memories of my grandparents and the time spent with them are some of my favorites. These memories are not necessarily of the big events in life, but the more ordinary everyday interactions with them. My paternal grandfather sitting in his chair after working on the farm. My maternal grandfather, “Pepere,” taking us for long, slow boat rides around the lake. I have vivid memories of sitting on the floor with my cousins, looking through page after page of old photos of our great grandparents in those sticky photo albums.
In this post, I discuss why I love to include grandparents in your sessions.
Often, we are so busy with the chaos of everyday life that we get caught up in the present and forget to treasure the past. With an immediate family photo shoot, we often overlook the importance of adding the other people in our lives who help make our families run. I’m using the term grandparents here, but this could be anyone: a close family friend, an aunt or uncle, or even a nanny who has been with your family forever. I have often had clients ask if they could include their parents in the session. My answer is always ABSOLUTELY!
Adding multiple generations into your images is not just about adding another face; it's about preserving a memory for your children and their children, embracing history, and cherishing the bonds that tie us together. This can add to the richness and depth of your story.
Photoshoots with grandparents can be as casual as a walk in the park or reading books on the couch to a more formal family portrait session. Where does your family most often spend time? These moments freeze time, allowing us to revisit them when we need a reminder of the love that surrounds us. Scheduling a Generational Storytelling shoot will highlight the interconnectedness of family dynamics through photographs.
Tips for Including Grandparents in Your Photoshoots
Plan Ahead: Often we don’t include our parents in our images because they don’t love having their photograph taken. Give them and yourself time and come up with a place that is special to your family and story. Choose a spot that is accessible to everyone. Think about the location of amenities and everyone's mobility. Where do you love to spend time together? The location doesn’t have to be fancy. Front porches, living rooms, and kitchens can offer wonderful backdrops for family storytelling.
Styling: Be authentic and comfortable. Unless you are purposely doing a formal shoot, wearing your everyday clothes is totally fine. This is great for really allowing the true story to come out. I suggest avoiding logos and large graphics, but other than that, stay true to yourself. You can choose a color scheme, but try to steer away from being too matchy-matchy.
Be Patient and Flexible: Adding more people to a session can sometimes create a bit more chaos. This is fine; allow for some extra time and headspace for this. Be realistic in your expectations. A session with me is about documenting the connections and candid moments. Try not to force things from both the young and older members of the group. Sometimes our mothers and fathers have strong opinions about how the photographs should be. Share some work with them prior and help prep them to know that the shoot is about the interactions, not the poses.
Focus on Relationships: We can work on planning an activity that will help engage all members of the group to relax and interact with each other.
Include Generational Props: This is optional, but some items could be included in the setting or scene. These props can highlight the generational bond, such as heirlooms, family albums, or items with sentimental value.
Grandparents are the keepers of family history, the storytellers that can bridge a gap between the past and the present. Including them in your photoshoot can be a celebration of your family's heritage. Their presence adds depth to the narrative and our personal story. Their presence not only honors the past but also enriches the present, creating a continuum of love and belonging for future generations.
