Extended family portrait session on Anna Maria Island beach

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was quite possibly the most perfect day for an extended family portrait session on Bean Point Beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida.

This beautiful family was referred to me by a friend from my time serving on the board of the Florida Marine Science Educators Association. Her former school teacher (turned Facebook friend) had put out a call for photographers in the area—her entire family would be visiting Anna Maria Island to celebrate her father’s 80th birthday, and she wanted to document the occasion with professional family portraits.

One consult call and some “Pinspiration” later, their seventeen-person extended family session was planned, and we were all looking forward to the day.

Grandparents with grandchildren on Anna Maria Island

Photographing a Seventeen-Person Extended Family Session

Now, given that this was a family shoot and my own family was in town for Thanksgiving, I figured I’d bring along my dad and stepmom to help assist.

And I’m so grateful they did.

It truly became a family affair.

With my stepmom holding a diffuser to soften the coastal sunlight and my dad reading names of family groupings off a carefully organized list, I was able to move efficiently through each combination of portraits. We captured every individual family unit along with a variety of groupings—moms, dads, kids, grandparents, siblings… you get the drill.

Group of young cousins during family beach photo session

Sunset Beach Portraits on the Gulf Coast

We spent about 70% of the session up on the sand, where the light was soft and there were fewer beach-goers to wander into the background. Then, in the final stretch before sunset, we headed down toward the water to capture the last images of the evening.

And this is exactly why I love photographing beach sessions along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

You never quite know what nature is going to give you.

But sometimes?

It really shows out.

Sunset backlit photo of kids standing in Gulf of Mexico

Planning Extended Family Photos on Anna Maria Island?

If your family is planning a vacation, reunion, or milestone celebration on Anna Maria Island or along Florida’s Gulf Coast, documenting it with professional portraits is one of the best ways to preserve the memories.

Extended family sessions are some of my favorite stories to photograph.

You can reach out here to start planning your own beach portrait session.