Well, we all know I’m not great about keeping up with my blog, so I’m taking it back to last summer! I’m going to try to blog one beach session each week as we inch closer to summer. Just a few weeks ago, it was dark before 5, and now it’s close to 6 before the sun is completely gone. Before we know it, we’ll be complaining that the kids won’t go to bed because it’s still light outside!

My own family was the first “session” I did last year. I have to admit, doing your own extended family’s photo session is difficult. A lot of running back and forth with a timer, pictures of my back as I’m running to get into place and a few complaints (“it’s hot”, “that one is good enough”, “can’t you fix that in photoshop?”). We always start planning our colors in the winter, which is no small task for this many people. (Side note, I put together a special style guide for beach sessions! All of my clients will have access to it!)

I do a good amount of extended family beach sessions. It’s a great time to get them done, because many families vacation together. Cousins who may not have seen each other in a little while have had some time to get reacquainted and, for the most part, everyone is relaxed and having a good time!

I know it’s difficult getting a large family together. There have been a couple years where not everyone could make it due to work or other commitments, but everyone really tries. I know how special it is to all be together, and I especially love the kids all together. My kids love their cousins, and I’m so glad that we have these pictures each year.