There’s something really special about having the whole family together, particularly when everyone is usually busy with their own lives.
For this beautiful extended family photography session, the family had travelled from Western Australia to enjoy a holiday in Far North Queensland. With everyone together, Mum wanted to make the most of the opportunity and organise some beautiful family photographs with her boys, their partners and the grandchildren.
And what better place to do that than on one of our beautiful tropical beaches?
Making the Most of a Family Holiday in Cairns
Family holidays are often some of our most treasured memories. They’re an opportunity to slow down, spend time together and enjoy the company of the people we love.
For extended families, they’re also the perfect opportunity to update family photographs.
As children grow up, start families of their own and life gets busier, having everyone together in the same place becomes something worth celebrating.
This session was about capturing exactly that. Not just one beautiful photograph of the entire family, but all the little relationships that make their family what it is.
Three Generations, One Beautiful Beach Session
One of my favourite things about extended family photography is the variety of photographs we can create in a single session.
Of course, we started with photographs of everyone together. These are often the images grandparents particularly treasure, seeing their children and grandchildren all in one photograph.
But we also made time for smaller family groupings, the grandparents together, Mum with her boys, couples and the grandchildren.
And then there were the moments in between.
Walking along the beach together, little ones playing in the sand, the family laughing together and everyone dipping their toes into the ocean.
These are the moments I love capturing just as much as the traditional family portraits.
Relaxed Extended Family Photos at the Beach
When you’re organising photographs for a large family, particularly with little children involved, the thought of getting everyone looking at the camera at once can feel a little overwhelming.
But family photography doesn’t have to be complicated.
My approach is to capture a combination of timeless family portraits and relaxed, natural moments that unfold as everyone spends time together.
We’ll make sure we get those important photographs of everyone looking at the camera, but there is also plenty of opportunity to walk, play, laugh and simply enjoy being together.
For this family, that meant finishing the session down by the water, with the waves rolling in and everyone enjoying the last of the beautiful afternoon light.
No need for everyone to be perfectly posed the entire time. Just a family making memories together.
Visiting Cairns or Port Douglas with Your Extended Family?
If you’re planning a family holiday to Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas, organising a photography session while everyone is together can be such a lovely way to remember your time here.
Whether you’re celebrating a special birthday, an anniversary, a family reunion or simply enjoying a holiday together, there’s no need to wait for a special occasion to have photographs taken.
I photograph families of all sizes, from little families with newborn babies through to extended families with grandparents, grown-up children and grandchildren.
And while our tropical beaches make a beautiful backdrop, the most important part of your photographs will always be the people in them.
Because years from now, it’s not just the holiday you’ll want to remember. It’s everyone who was there.
Extended Family Photographer Cairns & Port Douglas
I’m Lizzy, a family photographer capturing relaxed, natural and timeless photographs throughout Cairns, Palm Cove, Port Douglas and the surrounding Northern Beaches.
If you’re visiting Far North Queensland with your family and would love some beautiful photographs together, I’d love to hear from you.
Explore my family photography sessions or get in touch to organise a session during your holiday.
