Sandbridge Family Photo Session | Virginia Beach Photographer
Sandbridge is where all the families scattered over the eastern seaboard come together in one giant house for a week! And when you get 4 adult children, their families of 4 or more EACH, and the patriarch at 94 together – you get photos!
Most families have 0-3 grandkids per adult child. But with this crew, the multiplication effect was STRONG!
11 Adults and 16 grandchildren literally every age from 1-15.
They were AMAZING. We got everyone looking for the group shot without head swapping!
Per usual we were able to get the group, cousins/grands and adult kids plus every nuclear family photographed in less than hour.
Fast. Fun. Done. Work smarter, not harder š
Photos Should Be Fun
I believe a photo session shouldn’t end in tears. If we can’t get in the groove withint 15 minutes, its just not going to happen. More time will not make it better.
In our minds, we want photo sessions to be perfect: the kids wearing what we picked, acting like angels, smiling daintily into the camera and following every gentle instruction.
But thatās not real life. That daydream wouldnāt give us the all-out laughter like a well timed poop joke. Or the tight squeeze and look of adoration from your youngest in a bear hug.
I run my sessions like a party: we get the ālook at meā grandma shot first, and the rest is fun and games. I curate moments and laughter through play. We to turn a blind eye to misbehavior because consequences and corrections never made anyone smile more.
I run my sessions like a party
We get the ālook at meā grandma shot first, and the rest is fun and games. I curate moments and laughter through play. We to turn a blind eye to misbehavior because consequences and corrections never made anyone smile more.
Tips for Extended Family Photos
Nothing is easy about extended family photos, but its always worth it and I’m here to support you every step! But the hardest part is done: Everyone will be in one place at the same time!
Date: I always start as early in your trip as possible – before anyone gets a sunburn, and several options for weather back ups in case it rains.
What to wear: I have a whole long write up on this one!
- When in doubt, pinks and blues are easy and look good on everyone at the beach
Photographer: There’s so many to choose from! Tick off these basic requirements:
- Has experience with families – a wedding photog will not work here bc bridal parties are not the same as a gaggle of kids.
- Is FAST This can make or break your experience! A slow photog will make for a painful session with kids begging to be done. I’ve experienced it myself!
- Is flexible in your travel dates. You have a short window and weather is real. Make sure there’s a back up plan if the first date doesn’t work.
- Will come to you. Make it easy on yourself and make sure you don’t have to transport your crowd further than absolutely necessary. Less stress!
Have you thought about family photos while you’re in Hawai’i?
Its photo season year-round here in Hawaii and I want you to take advantage of it!
Take home the bright skies, warm air and blue water to relive it over and over because you’ll never experience this place with the kids these ages ever again.
This is your one shot. Take it!
As the ringleader of my own 4 boy circus, I know how hard getting family photos can be. I’m here to change that.
If I could dress your kids and literally hang your family photos on your walls, I would ā¦but I canāt, so I do just about everything else in between. Thatās why I take the time to hold your hand from start to finish.
Because what good are family photos if your kids never see them?
I only accept two families a week, so if you have dates, reach out to Alison Bell, Photographer now.
I'm a USMC spouse, South Carolina native, recovering homeschool mama of a 4 boy circus. They've taught me the most important facet of family photography: KEEP IT FUN!
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