In This Guide
- Why Generational Portraits Matter
- Planning the Session
- Essential Groupings to Capture
- Tips for a Smooth Session
- Best Locations in Edmonton
- When to Book (Do Not Wait)
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Generational Portraits Matter
Let me ask you something. How many professional photos do you have of your grandparents? Not snapshots from holidays. Not blurry phone pictures from family dinners. Real, professional portraits where everyone is present, looking their best, and the moment is documented with care.
If your answer is “not many” or “none,” you are not alone. According to a 2024 study by the Professional Photographers of America, only 12% of families have professional multi-generational portraits. That means 88% of families are missing what could be one of their most treasured possessions.
| Stat | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Families Who Have Professional Multi-Gen Portraits | 12% | Professional Photographers of America, 2024 |
Here is why this matters. Time moves in one direction. Grandparents will not always be here. Children grow up faster than anyone expects. The window where three or four generations can stand together in a single frame is small. And once that window closes, no amount of money or technology can open it again.
I say this not to create urgency for the sake of it. I say it because I have had families come to me after losing a grandparent, asking if I can photoshop them into a family portrait. The answer is always the same: I can try, but it will never be the same as a real image where everyone was truly together. That is the power of a generational family portrait. It captures something that can never be recreated.
Planning the Session
Organizing a multi-generational photo session requires more planning than a typical family portrait. You are coordinating schedules across multiple households, dealing with varying mobility levels, and managing energy and attention spans that range from toddlers to great-grandparents. Here is how to make it work:
Choose a Coordinator
Designate one person in the family as the session coordinator. This person handles communication with all branches of the family, confirms attendance, manages logistics, and works with me on the shot list. Having a single point of contact prevents the chaos of group text chains where nothing gets decided.
Build a Shot List
Before the session, sit down and list every grouping you want captured. The full group is obvious. But what about grandmother with just her grandchildren? The three sisters together? Great-grandpa with the baby? These specific combinations are often the most treasured images, and they need to be planned in advance. During a busy session with many people, it is easy to forget a grouping in the moment.
Consider Timing and Energy
Elderly family members and very young children both have limited energy windows. I recommend scheduling the session for when everyone is at their best — typically mid-morning or late afternoon. Avoid nap times for toddlers and medication schedules for elderly members. A well-timed session means happier faces and fewer meltdowns (from all age groups).
Planning Tip
Start with the full group shot first, then the groupings that include grandparents and small children. These are the people with the shortest energy windows. Once those priority shots are done, everyone can relax. We then move to the smaller groupings and individual portraits at a more leisurely pace.
Coordinate Outfits (But Keep It Simple)
Matching outfits for 15 to 20 people is a nightmare. Instead, agree on a colour palette. Earth tones work beautifully for outdoor sessions. Neutral creams and whites look elegant for studio settings. The key is avoiding clashing patterns and neon colours that draw the eye away from faces. Send a colour palette guide to every household at least two weeks before the session.
Essential Groupings to Capture
Here is my standard shot list for a four-generation family session. Of course, every family is unique, and we customize this together during the planning phase:
Grouping Why It Matters Priority
Full family (all generations) The one image that captures everyone. Irreplaceable once any member passes. Must-have
Grandparents with all grandchildren Consistently the most requested reprint. Grandparents treasure these above all others. Must-have
Each nuclear family unit Individual families within the larger group. Used for their own walls and holiday cards. Must-have
Grandparents alone A timeless portrait of the couple who started it all. Often displayed at their home and at memorials. Must-have
Great-grandparent with youngest Four generations in a single moment. The contrast between oldest and youngest is deeply moving. High
All siblings together (adult children) Brothers and sisters rarely get a professional photo together as adults. High
Same-gender groupings All the women together, all the men together. These are fun and celebratory. Nice-to-have
Candid interactions Grandpa playing with grandkids, cousins laughing together, quiet moments between parent and child. Always shooting
In addition to the planned groupings, I always capture candid interactions throughout the session. The moments between the formal shots — grandpa making a toddler laugh, a mother adjusting her teenager’s collar, cousins whispering to each other — these candid images often become the most loved photos in the gallery.
A generational family portrait is not just a photo. It is proof that an entire family existed together in time and space, and that their love was real and visible and beautiful.
Tips for a Smooth Session With Multiple Generations
Mobility and Accessibility
If grandparents or elderly family members use walkers, wheelchairs, or have limited mobility, choose a location that is easily accessible. Flat ground, paved paths, and available seating nearby are essential. I always bring a sturdy, attractive chair or bench that can be used as a posing element while providing comfort for anyone who cannot stand for extended periods.
Manage the Kids
Small children are unpredictable. That is part of their charm, but it can also make group photos challenging. Here are my tried-and-true strategies:
- Bring snacks. Hungry kids are cranky kids. A small bribe never hurt anyone.
- Save the full group for first. Get the big shot while everyone has maximum patience.
- Let them play between shots. Kids need to move. Let them run around between groupings and they will be more cooperative when it counts.
- Assign a kid wrangler. A family member (not a parent — they need to be in photos) who manages the children between shots is invaluable.
- Embrace the chaos. Some of the best family photos include a toddler doing something unexpected. Those imperfect moments are often the most authentic.
Keep It Fun
A tense, stressful photo session produces tense, stressful photos. I keep the atmosphere light and fun. I crack jokes. I give silly prompts. I let grandpa tell his favourite joke (even if everyone has heard it a hundred times) because the genuine laughter that follows is gold. The goal is for the family to enjoy the experience, not endure it.
Average Session Duration (Multi-Gen)60–90 minMH Photography session data Photos Delivered From a Multi-Gen Session100–200MH Photography delivery data
Best Locations in Edmonton for Generational Portraits
The right location makes a huge difference for multi-generational sessions. Here are my recommendations:
Edmonton River Valley
The river valley offers accessibility, variety, and natural beauty. Spots like Laurier Park and Hawrelak Park have flat, well-maintained paths perfect for elderly family members, with gorgeous natural backdrops of trees, water, and open meadows. In fall, the colours are spectacular.
Government House Park
Manicured gardens, interesting architecture, and a sense of formality that suits generational portraits perfectly. The grounds are flat and accessible, with multiple backdrop options within a short walk.
Your Own Home
There is something deeply meaningful about photographing multiple generations in the family home — especially if grandparents still live in the house where they raised their children. The front porch, the backyard, the living room — these spaces carry decades of memories. A family portrait in these settings is not just a photo. It is a time capsule.
Indoor Studio
For families with very young babies or elderly members who are sensitive to weather, a studio session removes all weather-related variables. Climate-controlled, comfortable, and with consistent lighting — studio sessions are efficient and produce clean, timeless portraits.
Location Tip
If you choose an outdoor location, always have an indoor backup plan. Edmonton weather can change quickly, and with multiple generations committed to one date, rescheduling is often very difficult. A nearby indoor option (a community hall, a family member’s home, or even a covered pavilion) ensures the session happens regardless of weather.
When to Book (Do Not Wait)
I want to be gentle but direct about this. The most common regret I hear from families is “I wish we had done this sooner.” Not “I wish we had chosen a different location” or “I wish we had worn different outfits.” It is always about time.
According to Statistics Canada, the average life expectancy is approximately 82 years. If your grandparents are in their late seventies or eighties, the window for a multi-generational portrait is finite. Moreover, health can change quickly. A grandparent who is active and mobile today may not be a year from now. I do not say this to be morbid. I say it because I have seen too many families wait and then wish they had not.
Average Life Expectancy in Canada82 yearsStatistics Canada, 2024
As a result, I encourage families to treat generational portraits as a priority, not a luxury. The best time to do this was last year. The second best time is now. Book the session. Coordinate the schedules. Make it happen. You will never regret having too many photos of the people you love.
In addition, consider making it an annual tradition. Families who do yearly generational sessions create an incredible visual legacy — watching children grow, seeing the family expand, documenting the changes that make each year unique. These collections become family treasures that span decades.
Key Takeaways
- Only 12% of families have professional multi-generational portraits — do not be part of the 88% who wish they had
- Designate a family coordinator to manage logistics, outfits, and the shot list
- Start with the full group and priority groupings while energy is highest
- Choose accessible locations with flat ground and seating options for elderly members
- Candid moments between formal shots often become the most treasured images
- Do not wait. The window for multi-generational portraits closes faster than anyone expects
Ready to Gather Your Family? I would love to help you create portraits that your family will treasure for generations. Let us plan a session that works for everyone — from the littlest ones to the eldest. Browse my family photography gallery to see real multi-generational sessions. Book a Family Session
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can you handle in a multi-generational session? I have photographed family sessions with up to 35 people. For very large groups, I recommend planning 90 minutes to ensure we capture all groupings comfortably. The key is having a clear shot list prepared in advance so we use time efficiently.
What if a family member has mobility issues? We plan around it. I bring attractive seating that becomes part of the composition. I choose locations that are fully accessible. Wheelchairs and walkers are never hidden — they are part of the person, and the photos should reflect that authentically. We position the family so everyone is comfortable and looks natural.
What if a baby cries or a toddler refuses to cooperate? It happens at nearly every session, and it is perfectly fine. We take a break, let the child calm down, and try again. I also capture those real moments — a parent comforting a crying baby, a toddler making a funny face instead of smiling. These authentic moments are often families’ favourite images years later. Perfection is overrated. Real is beautiful.
How far in advance should we book? For fall sessions (the most popular season), book 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Peak fall colour in Edmonton typically runs from late September through mid-October. Summer and spring sessions generally have more availability. For indoor studio sessions, scheduling is more flexible year-round.
Can we include pets? Absolutely. Pets are family. We will do the pet-inclusive photos early in the session while everyone (including the pet) has maximum patience. Have a designated pet handler who can take the animal between shots. Dogs, cats, even horses — I have included them all in family sessions.
See our family photography gallery or check packages and pricing.
