It was a breezy afternoon at Fingal Bay Beach, where the waves were crashing and the sun was playing peek-a-boo behind the hills.

It was the perfect backdrop for a family reunion of epic proportions, as James, Fran, and their whole clan gathered to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Now, you know how it is with family—getting everyone together can be a bit like herding cats. But when you’ve got relatives flying in from overseas, you know it’s time to break out the cameras and make some memories.

With cousins, siblings, parents, and grandparents all in tow, it was a full house and then some. And let me tell you, there’s nothing I love more than capturing kids being kids. Whether it’s a game of tag or a round of silly faces, those candid moments are what make a family portrait truly special.

Of course, we had to get the obligatory “grandparents with everyone looking at the camera” shot, but we also made sure to mix things up with some beachside strolls. Thanks to those handy-dandy rubber footpaths at Fingal Bay, It makes it even easier to get closer to the waters edge for those who need it.

Let’s go for a walk along the beach!

Is there anything more romantic than hand-in-hand walks with your loved one? It’s the perfect opportunity for a quick hug and a stolen kiss, all while the sun sets in the distance.

But let’s not forget about those waves—they may be unpredictable, but they sure do make for some epic photo ops. Whether you’re dodging them or splashing around in them, there’s no denying the fun factor.

Same, Same but different!

Now, when it comes to extended family portraits, we like to mix things up a bit. Each family gets their chance to shine with their own setup, allowing for plenty of individuality and personality to shine through. And let’s not forget about the games—because who doesn’t love a bit of friendly competition to break the ice!

Here’s a pro tip for you: stick around after the sun sets for the most magical light you’ve ever seen. Trust me, it’s worth it for those dreamy, soft-focus shots that’ll make your heart sing.

So there you have it, folks—extended family portraits with a side of beachside fun and a whole lot of love. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the photos—it’s about the memories we make along the way. Cheers to family, laughter, and a lifetime of moments worth capturing. 📸

The timeline for this particular session:

Winter session (August)

Start time 4:30pm

Sunset time 5:23pm

How are extended family portraits different to a standard family portrait?

When you are combining two or three immediate families, with the Grandparents. You need more time to photograph each family. The extended family photo sessions run for one hour (opposed to 40mins).

In a extended family session, we focus on groupings with everyone together, plus cousin’s together and with grandparents, along with the immediate family household photographs being together.

In an individual family session, you will find more variations of mum with children, dad with children, individuals etc, that we may not have time for in an extended family session.