When people book a Maryland family photoshoot, it’s usually because they want updated photos of their kids. We absolutely get that! As parents, we’re always pulling out our phones to take pictures too. Half our camera roll is our kids doing something completely ordinary that somehow still feels worth remembering.
But here’s something we’ve found ourselves thinking about more over the last few years. We’re really good at taking photos of our kids with their grandparents. We’re not always as good about getting in the photo with our own parents.
This session brought together a mom, her grown daughters, and the grandkids. It was one of those evenings that stuck with us. The kids ran around, everyone caught up, and there were plenty of laughs. Somewhere in the middle of all of that, we realized these were the kinds of photos that would only become more meaningful with time.
With our own kids, we’ve started thinking about family photos a little differently. Of course we want pictures of our kids growing up, but we also want them to have photos with the people who were there long before they were. Those relationships are just as much a part of their story, and they’re worth making time for, too.
This Maryland family photoshoot took place in Damascus, Maryland, with three generations gathered for an evening outdoors. Sessions like this are some of our favorites because they remind us that family photos aren’t just about documenting our kids. They’re also a chance to step in front of the camera with the people who raised us. Somewhere between chasing grandkids around, catching up with each other, and laughing through the session, there are quiet little moments between moms and daughters that deserve to be remembered too. Those are the photos we found ourselves coming back to long after this session was over.
Your Kids Deserve Photos With Grandma During Your Maryland Family Photoshoot
One of the first things families tell us is, “We really need some updated photos of the kids.” They’re right! But while we’re planning those photos, we always encourage families to think a little bigger. Your kids will absolutely love looking back at pictures of themselves one day. But we have a feeling they’ll care even more about the photos they’re in with the people they love!
There’s something really special about seeing your grandma holding your hand, making you laugh, or simply standing next to you in a photo. Those moments might not feel like a big deal today, but they’re the kinds of photos that tend to mean more as the years go by.
We don’t think every family session needs a big milestone behind it. Sometimes the reason is simply that everyone is together, and that’s enough. Those opportunities become harder to coordinate over the years, which makes them even more worth taking advantage of when you can!
Years from now, your kids probably won’t remember what Grandma wore that evening or exactly how old they were. But they’ll remember seeing those photos. They’ll remember her smile. They’ll remember how she looked at them. Those become the little pieces of family history that quietly grow more valuable over time.
Don’t Forget About the Photos With Your Mom
Something we’ve found ourselves thinking about more since becoming parents is how much time we spend documenting our kids and how easy it is to forget to get photos with our own parents. We all have hundreds (okay, probably thousands) of photos of our kids on our phones. But when was the last time you intentionally got in front of the camera with your mom?
As daughters, we naturally want those photos for ourselves, but we’ve also realized they’re just as much for our kids. They get to grow up seeing their grandma, but they also get to see the relationship between the two of you. They see the person who’s always been “Mom” to them laughing with her own mom. It’s a sweet reminder that before you were raising them, you were somebody’s little girl too.
We love that these sessions capture that part of a family’s story. Not because every photo has to be deeply meaningful, but because they’re real. They’re a snapshot of this season of life, and they’re a chance to make memories with our parents while we still can!
It’s so easy to put these kinds of photos off because life gets busy. We do it too. We spend so much of adulthood taking care of everyone else that it’s easy to forget we’re still someone’s daughter, too. But sessions like this are a good reminder that sometimes it’s worth making the time! Not because you need a special occasion, but simply because everyone is together.
These Photos Become Part of Your Family’s Story
Something we love about family photos is that you never really know which ones are going to become everyone’s favorites! Sometimes it’s the classic portrait hanging in the hallway. Other times it’s the photo where your mom is laughing at something one of the grandkids said. Or the one where everyone’s talking, and nobody realized we were taking pictures.
Those are the photos families come back to again and again. As our kids get older, they’re going to ask questions about the people who came before them. They’re going to want to hear stories about Grandma, what she was like, what she loved, and all the little things that made her who she was. Having photos from this season gives those stories somewhere to start.
That’s one of the reasons we think sessions like this are so worthwhile. You’re not just updating family photos, you’re making time to be together. The photos are a bonus, but so are the conversations, the laughs, and an evening your kids get to spend with their grandma. We don’t always get enough of those, and we think that’s a pretty good reason to make the time when you can.
Why Damascus Is Great for Family Photos
We’ve photographed families all over Maryland, and Damascus is one of those places we keep coming back to. It’s close enough for families coming from Gaithersburg, Germantown, Bethesda, Rockville, Frederick, or even if you’re planning a Mount Airy family session. But once you’re there, it feels like you’ve stepped away from the busyness for a little while.
For extended family sessions especially, that’s a huge advantage. Instead of worrying about crowded parks or dozens of people walking through the background, there’s room for kids to move around, grandparents to take their time! Everyone has time to settle into the session without feeling rushed. It also makes it easier for us to move between different family groupings without constantly stopping to wait for people to pass by.
Something we’ve learned over the years is that the location can really set the tone for the whole experience. When everyone feels comfortable, and there’s space to spread out a bit, the session naturally feels more relaxed. Parents aren’t worried about keeping kids out of busy walkways, and grandparents don’t have to navigate long distances. That’s a big reason why we love recommending places like Damascus for Maryland family photos!
Every Immediate Family Deserves Their Own Time
While the main goal of an extended Maryland family photoshoot is to capture everyone together, we always make time for each immediate family too. It’s one of those things that’s easy to overlook when you’re organizing. But families are always so glad we included it.
When everyone is already together, it’s the ideal time to update photos for each household without needing to coordinate separate sessions later. Every immediate family gets their own time in front of the camera! This gives parents updated portraits with their children, and siblings a chance to capture photos together.
We build this into the timeline before the session even starts. So it never feels rushed or like we’re squeezing it in at the end. We’ll work through each group in a way that keeps things organized while still leaving plenty of time for the candid moments in between. It’s a simple part of the planning process, but it makes a big difference! Since everyone is already together, it just makes sense to make the most of the opportunity.
Why Now Is Usually the Right Time for Maryland Family Photoshoots
Life has a funny way of filling up the calendar. Between work, school, sports, vacations, and everything else, it’s easy to keep saying, “We’ll do it next year.” We’ve done the same thing ourselves! But sessions like this are a good reminder that you don’t need a big reason to get everyone together. You don’t have to wait for a milestone birthday or a special anniversary. Sometimes it’s enough that everyone’s in the same place at the same time.
As parents, we spend so much time thinking about how quickly our kids are growing that it’s easy to overlook the fact that our parents are in a different season of life too. We don’t always notice those changes because we’re seeing them little by little, but they add up.
That’s a big reason we love photographing moms and daughters together. It’s a chance to slow down for an evening, spend time together, and walk away with photos you’ll be glad you made time for. Not because the day was extraordinary, but because it was real, and sometimes that’s exactly what you’ll want to remember!
A Great Maryland Family Photoshoot Starts with a Solid Plan
A big difference with an extended family photo shoot is that there’s a little more logistics involved before session day, which is a good thing! When everyone knows the plan ahead of time, the session feels much easier. Plus everyone gets to spend more time together instead of wondering what’s happening next.
Before your session, we work with your family to put together a shot list and organize the different group combinations. We’ll talk through who you’d like photographed together, answer any questions you have, and create a game plan before anyone arrives. That way, we’re not figuring things out on the spot while everyone is standing around waiting.
We always recommend starting with the youngest children. We always start with the youngest kids because asking a two-year-old to patiently wait through 17 different family combinations is not setting anyone up for success. By photographing the full family, grandparents with grandchildren, and each immediate family first, we can capture those important portraits while everyone is still happy and engaged.
Once we’ve worked through the planned group photos, there’s room to slow things down a bit. The kids can play, families can interact naturally, and I can focus on photographing the in-between moments that happen when everyone stops thinking about the camera. Having a plan from the beginning gives us the flexibility to do both!
The Best Photos Usually Aren’t Planned
Of course, we’ll make sure everyone is looking at the camera for the classic family portrait. Those photos are important, and every family should have them. Once we’ve captured those, that’s when things start to loosen up a bit!
As Maryland family photographers, we’re always paying attention to what’s happening beyond the posed portraits. While we’re guiding the session, we’re also watching for the little interactions that make your family unique! It’s the way siblings tease each other, the proud look on a grandparent’s face, or the quiet moments parents don’t always get to see because they’re usually the ones behind the camera. Those are the moments we never want to miss because they’re just as much a part of your family’s story as the traditional portraits.
We’re always watching for those moments because they’re often the ones families connect with the most. They feel familiar. They remind you what your kids were actually like at this age instead of how well they followed directions for a photo.
We still give plenty of guidance throughout the session, but we’re never trying to control every second. The best images usually come from creating space for your family to interact naturally while we’re there to document it. Those little laughs, hugs, curious personalities, and even the wonderfully goofy moments are all part of your family’s story. We think they deserve to be remembered just as much as the smiling-at-the-camera portraits!
What to Wear for a Maryland Family Photoshoot
One of the questions we get asked the most before a family photoshoot is, “What should we wear?” Our answer: don’t overthink it! We always recommend choosing outfits that feel comfortable, coordinate with each other, and let your family be the focus. Instead of matching everyone in the exact same color, try sticking to a color palette with a few complementary tones and subtle patterns. Soft neutrals, earth tones, muted blues, greens, and warm browns tend to photograph beautifully outdoors in Maryland throughout the year.
The biggest piece of advice we can give is to wear something you feel good in. If you’re constantly adjusting a dress, pulling at a shirt, or convincing your toddler to keep on an outfit they hate, it’s going to be a lot harder to relax and enjoy the session. Comfortable clothes almost always lead to more natural photos. Once you book with us, we’ll also help you put outfits together and offer suggestions if you’re stuck. We’ll also make sure everything works well with your location and the season. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own; that’s what we’re here for!
What It’s Like Working With Us
One thing we hear all the time after family sessions is, “That was so much easier than I expected.” That’s exactly what we want! We know coordinating an extended family session can feel like a lot before it even begins. Between finding a date that works for everyone and keeping little ones happy, there are a lot of moving pieces. Our job is to take as much of that off your plate as we can.
Before your session, we’ll help with all of the planning, from choosing a location and putting together a shot list to organizing family combinations. We’ll also answer any questions that come up along the way. We’ll also help coordinate multiple family members and help decide which family groupings make the most sense. By the time everyone arrives, there’s already a plan in place, so you don’t have to spend the session figuring out what comes next.
Once we’re together, we take over behind the camera. We guide everyone through the portraits, keep things moving, and make sure no one feels like they’re standing around waiting. We’re great with kids, know how to keep the session feeling relaxed, and give just enough direction without making anything feel forced. Our goal is for you to leave feeling like you actually got to enjoy spending time with your family! Not like you spent an hour trying to get everyone to look at the camera.
Planning Your Own Maryland Family Photoshoot?
If you’ve been thinking about scheduling a Maryland family photoshoot, we’d love to help! Whether you’re planning a session with your immediate family, bringing together three generations, or simply want updated photos with your mom, we’ll walk you through the entire process. From choosing a location and coordinating family groupings to helping with outfits and answering all of your questions, we’ll make sure everything feels simple from the very beginning.
Once session day arrives, you can leave the logistics to us. We’ll keep things organized, guide everyone through the portraits, and make sure there’s plenty of time for the moments in between. Like the conversations, the laughs, and the little interactions that usually end up becoming everyone’s favorite photos.
We know how easy it is to focus on documenting our kids. We also know how important it is to occasionally turn the camera around and make sure we’re in those memories too, especially with the people who have been there from the very beginning.
If you’re looking for a Maryland family photographer, reach out here; we’d love to help you create photos that your whole family, including the next generation, will enjoy looking back on for years to come!
