Planning An Extended Family Portrait – Why?

It’s been said that you can’t choose your family, but the pandemic has made us all realize just how important they are.

Spending time with our extended families is something we may have taken for granted – until the option was suddenly taken away. Even more so when you have family who live all over the world, with travel restrictions to take into considerations.

The pandemic has forced us all to slow down and appreciate the importance of family and we have seen many families take the chance to organize their long overdue extended family portraits to remember the present, and create tangible memories for the future.

In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, our families are one of the few constants we can rely on. It would be wise of us to cherish them while we can, and never take them for granted again.

So if you’re looking to update your family portraits, or just want to capture some precious memories with your loved ones, be sure to book your session soon as year end is our busiest season!

Here are a few things to consider and take note of in order to make the process go smoothly. when planning an extended family portrait.

1. Set A Date For Your Extended Family Portrait

Give everyone plenty of notice: Depending on the size of your family and how spread out they live, it can take some time to organise everyone’s schedules. So, it’s important to give everyone as much notice as possible to increase the chances that everyone will be able to make it.

We understand it can be challenging when coordinating an optimum timing for everyone in the family, however, if this shoot is important, people will make time, rearrange their usual schedules and try their best to make it for this photoshoot. Afterall, most families only do extended family photoshoots once every couple of years.

Contingency Plan

Best case scenario is definitely a time when everyone can gather in-person to complete this photoshoot. In the event when one family is down with flu and can’t make it; and the shoot must go on because one of the family member will be leaving the country that very night, this is where the possibility of composite family portraits can be explored. This option requires the photographer to possess highly technical lighting, posing and photoshop ability and advanced planning to pull it off. That said, photographers aren’t magicians but can certainly make it happen IF clients let us know in advanced before the shoot. Below is one of the composite extended family portrait done recently.

2. Choose A Family Photographer Experienced in Taking Extended Family Portraits

When it comes time to choose a photographer, you’ll want one who is experienced and knows how important your family’s portraits are. Make sure they have the capabilities needed for an extended family shoot with lots of people, different ages in tow – from babies in arms to seniors in wheelchair and anything in between.

3. Photo Studio – Suitable for Extended Family Portrait

With extended family portrait, apart from selecting a studio that is spacious enough to accommodate your big group, it is inevitable that we may encounter family members who have mobility issues.

Multiple change rooms and spacious washrooms with wheelchair accessibility would therefore be convenient, plenty of parking is also very important. Our studio can easily fit 25 pax comfortably and have photographed 36 pax like the image above.

Alternatively, home shoots are also possible. Learn more about Where to do your professional family portrait and the 15 Tips on how to select the best family photo studio for your family shoot.

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Best Generation_Portrait Family Photo Shoot

4. Scheduling Flexibility

At times, we get clients telling us that a family member was admitted/re-admitted to the hospital. In times like these, we understand and will reschedule the session to another day.

At other times, there is only a small window of opportunity to get an extended family portrait done and its a last minute and urgent shoot. Whenever possible, we will try our best to make it happen for your family. We have done last minute late night shoot for a family at home right after one of the family member returned home from hospital.

5. Rates

Whilst we all plan to have memories of the extended family preserved, the topic of rates will definitely come up tops. It is very important that the family members are fully aligned on the fees and charges of the photoshoot and its inclusions or product prices. Different studio, different business models. Learn more on 15 Tips on how to select the best family photo studio for your family shoot.

6. Turnaround Time

If you are like us who always want our things done yesterday and don’t like waiting for things to happen, we get it!

Most clients love to see their photos as quickly as they can after the shoot; and receive the final products quickly. At Tomato Photo, you get to see your edited photos online within 24-48 hours from shoot; and products delivered within 1-2 weeks from your order and approval.

Speed of product deliverables will depend on how quickly you place your order.

If you like to know more, get in touch with us by filling up the form below; whatsapp us.

Based on 331 reviews

Constance Lee

January 16, 2023.

My family had our photos taken and Hart has made our experience so memorable and fun. Hart has a warm and lively nature which made the photo shoot so dynamic and fun. The photos turned out amazing and my family and I could not recommend Hart more!

Cherie Chua

January 6, 2023.

Hart was the perfect photographer for our family portrait. He has so much patience with our young kids and we were impressed that he could bond with them in such a short time and keep them cheerful throughout the process. Not only the kids, he made the shoot enjoyable for us as parents too! What we also appreciate was his professional skills and versatile personality which produced many natural moments we loved! The photos say it all. Thanks to Hart!

Joan Choo

January 6, 2023.

Hart came highly recommended by a friend and overall we had a great experience! Our newborn photoshoot was arranged at very short notice and the whole process was efficient and fuss-free. Hart handled our baby well and managed to capture some of the transient cheeky expressions she made! Editing of photos was also very prompt and we received the photos the next day!

Nandhini T

December 28, 2022.

Great experience with Hart and tomato studios, from organising the shoot with my large extended family of 29 people and the actual photoshoot. Hart was great with the kids as well. Strongly recommend!

Zesa Tania

December 21, 2022.

we had a great time with Hart! booked a photoshoot for my whole family, which includes an infant and a family dog! when we arrive Hart makes us feel very comfortable and chatted with us to understand the dynamics of our family which made the photoshoot experience very comfortable and smooth sailing! Hart is really patient with us especially since it was quite chaotic with the dogs and an infant. thank you so much for making it easy for us!

Shao Ni Chua

December 15, 2022.

We enjoyed & had fun during the photo taking session especially my toddler. We were super impressed and pleased with the photos. We have never seen my girl’s smile being captured so perfectly and surprised that he could even captured lots of happy expressions of my boy (infant stage). Hart’s very efficient that sent us the online gallery in less than 24hours! Highly recommended, & will definitely look for him again if we are going to take any photoshoot in future.

Jean Chai

December 2, 2022.

We had an extended family shoot with Hart, and I have to say it was such a great experience from booking, to the shoot itself and then the ordering process. I was concerned about how my kids would behave during the shoot but Hart was able to engage them and got some really fantastic photos. I do highly recommend Tomato photos!

Jiaxing

November 21, 2022.

Highly recommend engaging Tomato photos for newborn shoots! Hart is very professional in handling newborns and the photos are amazing!

If you’re like me who don’t take family studio shots often, you’ll want to pick one where everything will turn out beautiful. Not all studios are the same. The lighting at Tomato is SO MAGICAL. There are interesting shadow details that gives the photos so much depth. Plus Hart (the only photographer) is great with kids. The combination of these are priceless. Your family deserves the best. Pay a bit more. You’ll be happy you did when you see the results.

JP Liew

Google Review, Feb 2022

My family had really fantastic experience with Hart. He is amazing with the kid, knows how to make us smile and laughing all the time. I’ve also been thrilled with the results of each shoot, our photos are really beautiful. We will be back again for sure!