Extended family photography sessions turn beautiful moments into timeless heirlooms.  


Extended family photo sessions are the perfect opportunity to capture moments between grandparents, their children, and their children’s children (and their children’s children’s children, should you be so lucky to be a 4 generation family!!). I like to take both a traditional and documentary approach to these shoots to give you the perfect variety of “frame worthy” group photos and emotive candids that highlight the quiet moments between family.  


Preparing for an multigenerational family photography session can feel stressful.

BUT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE.


Step one: pick a photographer. Make sure their aesthetic fits yours. Maggie Theis Photography specializes in emotive, vibrant, true to skin tone and documentary style photography.


Step two: pick a location. Do you want photos at your home? Perfection. Your backyard? Lovely. A park near your house? Can do. A location in the mountains that is special to your family? I'm all in. Colorado and the Denver metro area offer some of the most beautiful backdrops!


Step three: Consider if you want to pick a specific color palette or tone for your photos.


Step four: Show up to your session and have the best time with your family. The photographer will take it from there.


Let's dive into some of the details...

What to wear to an extended family photoshoot…


Totally up to you! I have had some families go with whatever each person is most comfortable in. I have also had some families go with slightly elevated casual. And I have had other families pick a color palette.  Variation in texture with complimentary colors typically photographs beautiful!


In my opinion, it’s best to know what not to wear. A general rule of thumb - it is best to not be too matchy-matchy (long gone are the days of white t-shirts & denim a la 1995).  Also best to avoid neons, clothing with logos and words.


Photographers are typically happy to answer any specific questions you might have about your specific clothing options! You are always welcome to email me to ask whatever questions you have about your outfits for an upcoming photoshoot!


Grandparents, children and grandchildren posed together, standing in front of mountains in Arvada, Colorado.

Elevated casual

photographs beautifully. Everyone looks put together and comfortable. There is a balanced variation of colors and patterns.

Grandparents, grandchildren and Bernese Mountain Dog laughing together in backyard in Littleton, Colorado.

Color palettes

with slight variation of hues and tones with splashes of texture and patterns naturally makes everyone look put together.

Family of grandparents, parents and grandchildren standing together on a dock with a lake and forest in background in Grand Lake, Colorado.

An anchor color

unifies the group. The variation in hues and shades allows everyone to stand out while simultaneously making the group look cohesive.

Grandparents, daughter and two grandchildren posing on a couch together in Brighton, Colorado.

Complimentary tones

make for a lovely photos. You can explore all kinds of options - earthy, seasonal, and jewel tones are all stunning options.

What to expect during extended family photos…


Typically, we will start with the traditional group photo. This catches everyone at their freshest, especially babes and toddlers.  

Extended family portrait of family standing together on a dock in Grand Lake, Colorado.
Black and white portrait of grandfather holding grandson and grandmother holding granddaughter indoors in Brighton, Colorado.
Multi generation family portrait in park in Arvada, Colorado.
Family portrait of grandparents with five grandchildren in a backyard in Littleton, Colorado.

Then, we will breakout into smaller groups - couples, parents with their children, grandparents with grandchildren, etc.  

Grandma, daughter and granddaughter playing on a couch together in Brighton, Colorado.
Extended family portrait of grandma, daughters and granddaughters in Grand Lake, Colorado.
Black and white photo of grandparents sitting with granddaughter and grandson in Littleton, Colorado.
Grandpa and grandma swinging a laughing granddaughter in a park in Arvada, Colorado.

After that, we move on to my favorite part. I simply follow you around like a personal paparazzi and snap photos of authentic moments between your family. This can be in a meaningful location, at a first birthday party, in the comfort of your own home, at a local park - the details are flexible. What matters is that there are opportunities for you and your favorite humans to interact and love on each other as you would on any regular day.  

Multi generation photo of grandchildren playing with grandpa, Littleton, Colorado.
Multi generation photo of grandchildren playing with grandparents and mother, Brighton, Colorado.
Multi generation photo of toddler walking, followed by parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents in park in Arvada, Colorado.
Multi generation photo of aunt playing with niece outside with a kite in backyard in Grand Lake, CO.
Toddler eating cake on birthday, dad and sister in background.
Black and white portrait of grandparents with grandchildren, snuggling on a couch.
Grandparents holding grandson bundled in snow gear with snow in the background.
Uncle and aunt holding hands of niece as they walk in a park in Arvada, Colorado.
Grandfather holding out arms to catch granddaughter who is running toward him.
Toddler bent low in a garden, playing in the grass, colorful flowers in the background.
Couple walking toward a boathouse on a lake, boathouse is decorated with skis.
Candid portrait of grandchildren laughing with grandparents.
Mom holding toddler, toddler looking into camera.
Multi generation photo of grandparents, children and grandchildren, standing and smiling for posed portrait.
Couple standing in front of a boathouse that has been decorated with water skiis.
Grandpa holding granddaughter and grandson on couch.
Granddaughter laughing with grandson and granddaughter.
Couple standing in front of a boathouse, laughing and looking lovingly at each other.
Documentary black and white multi generation portrait.
Five cousins sitting together on outdoor couch in backyard in Littleton.
Grandparents, child and grandchildren sitting snuggled on couch at in home portrait session.
Uncle tossing niece into air in extended family photo session at park in Arvada, Colorado.
Toddler running away from family laughing gleefully, with boathouse, lake and mountains in background.
Documentary multi generation portrait of grandparents with two grandchildren.
Multi generation photo of grandparents, children and grandchildren, standing and smiling for posed portrait off Shadow Lake, Colorado.
Close up of toddler feet.
Grandpa playing with two grandchildren in Littleton backyard.
Three generations of women casually and comfortably sitting together on a dock with a lake and forest in background.
Extended family of eight standing posed in park in Arvada, Colorado with trees and mountain range in background.
Grandmother sitting on chair holding grandson, grandfather nearby kissing grandson's hand,

Extended family photographs become a family heirloom your kids and grandkids will actually want to keep.  



Time is a thief but a photograph can transport you back into a specific memory for decades to come. If you’re ready to book a multi-generational portrait session, please contact me!

Black and white multigeneration photo of grandma and granddaughter.
Black and white multigeneration photo of grandma and granddaughter.
Black and white multigeneration photo of grandma and granddaughter.
Collage of photos of various different multi generation portraits with text that reads "How to plan for Extended Family Portrait Sessions".

To see multi-generation, extended family photo sessions, click here, here or here.

Maggie Theis is a family photographer based in Littleton, Colorado, serving families in the Littleton, Morrison, Golden, Jefferson, Lakewood, Denver, Highlands Ranch, Westminster, Arvada, Brighton, Reunion, Longmont, and Denver Metro areas and beyond.