Can you Include Grandparents in your Family Photo Session (The Short Answer)
The short answer is yes—you can absolutely plan on including grandparents in your family photos.
Including grandparents in your family photos can add so much meaning to your session. However, depending on the size of your group, there may be an additional cost for larger groupings.
Why Full Sessions Work Best When Including Grandparents
I only offer the option of including granparents in your family photos for full sessions.
Full sessions allow us enough time to capture a variety of groupings without feeling rushed. In shorter sessions or minis, there simply isn’t enough time to photograph the immediate family and then add in the grandparent combinations.
These longer sessions give us the flexibility we need to do it well.
What to Think About Before Including Grandparents in Your Family Photos
Before deciding on including grandparents in your family photos, it’s important to think through how the session will feel for your family.
First, consider whether your kids will feel comfortable. Some children do great with extra people around, while others may feel shy or distracted.
Next, think about the different groupings you’ll want. Most families hope for photos of just parents and kids, grandparents with the kids, and then everyone all together. While we can absolutely capture all of those photos, it does require more transitions throughout the session.
Because of that, the overall flow can feel a bit more structured compared to my candid play based family sessions.
Will Your Kids Feel Comfortable During the Session?
This is one of the most important things to consider.
Your kids’ comfort level plays a big role in how your session goes. If they feel relaxed and happy, everything else tends to fall into place.
Before deciding on including grandparents in your family photos, think about how your kids typically respond in these situations and what will help them feel most at ease.
How Including Grandparents Can Affect the Flow of Your Session
Including grandparents in your family photos does change the flow a bit. We’ll be moving between different groupings more often, which can make it harder to stay fully focused on candid moments. That said, I work to keep things moving so it still feels natural.
I also avoid splitting the session into “first half with grandparents” and “second half without.” With young kids, you never know when they might be done, so it’s better to rotate groupings throughout the session.
When Including Grandparents in Your Family Photos Works Really Well
This works best when kids feel completely comfortable with their grandparents. It also works well when grandparents are excited to interact, play, and engage with the kids. That energy helps keep the session fun and relaxed instead of feeling overly structured.
When everyone is on the same page, the session flows much more easily.
How I Structure a Family Photo Session When Grandparents Are Included
When including grandparents in your family photos, I keep the session moving and flexible.
We’ll rotate through groupings throughout the session. For example, we might start with immediate family, then add grandparents, then shift to grandparents with the kids, and repeat that pattern as we go.
This approach helps us capture a variety of images without putting too much pressure on any one part of the session.
Tips for a Smooth Family Photo Session with Grandparents
The biggest key to a smooth family photo session is communication.
Make sure everyone understands the plan ahead of time, including both kids and grandparents. When everyone knows what to expect, the session feels more relaxed.
It’s also helpful to share any must-have photo combinations with me in advance. That way, we can make sure we don’t miss anything important
Should You Consider a Separate Session Instead?
In some cases, scheduling a separate session can be a great option.
This allows you to fully focus on your immediate family during one session and then dedicate another session to photos with the grandparents. It takes some of the pressure off and creates a more relaxed experience overall.
Choosing the Right Session for Your Family
At the end of the day, it’s all about what works best for your family.
There are always exceptions. For example, if grandparents are very involved in day-to-day life or live with you, including them can feel completely natural.
The goal is to create a session that feels comfortable, enjoyable, and true to your family dynamic.
Book Your Colorado Springs Family Photo Session
If you’re considering including grandparents in your family photos, I’d love to help you plan the best approach.
We can talk through your goals, your family dynamic, and what will make the session feel smooth and enjoyable for everyone.
You can view more of my family photography, check out pricing information or book your session through my online calendar. Please reach out if you have any questions!
