Not your average family reunion photos

Family reunions are a uniquely beautiful opportunity for photos: not only do you have everyone gathering in one place, but they are full of joyful connection, reflection, and fun that are delightful to photograph.

Late in 2023, I had the opportunity of photographing the families connected with Robinwood Farm in Pepperell, MA. They were celebrating the farm’s 100th anniversary with a poignant, joyful family gathering and I was delighted to be there, not just to photograph the event, but to revel in the beauty and wonder that is multiple generations coming together to celebrate the past and look forward to the future.

I’ve talked about the uniqueness and joy of telling your story elsewhere on the blog; this was a classic example of a unique story! The gathering was centered around a beautiful time capsule ceremony, where family members took turns sharing meaningful memories, tokens, and hopes for the future, and stored them in a special spot on the farm. I got to be a fly on the wall and document the laughter, the tears, the connection - it was beautiful.

How to get the best family reunion photos

TL;DR: for the best family reunion photos, hire a storytelling photographer, like me! ;)

Whether you’re hiring a photographer or not, here are some tips to the best family reunion photos:

• Plan a few simple group activities. Being engaged in an activity helps people relax and enjoy being together, which makes for great photos. Plan a mix of large-group activities and smaller-group activities, like the hayride some family members enjoyed at Robinwood’s celebration.

• Designate a photographer. If you’re not hiring a photographer, designate 1 or 2 family members to take photos and ask the rest to put their phones/cameras away! Pick 2 so that both family members can be in at least some photos.

• Think about what matters ahead of time. What’s the story behind your gathering? Is it an anniversary, a birthday, a just-because? What do you want to remember about the time together? What moments or places or buildings or specific people do you want to make sure are in the story?

• Give the gift of presence: hire a photographer! You had to know it was coming to this. ;) Give everyone the gift of being present in the moment and hire a photographer to be the fly on the wall, photographing those key moments and guiding you through the best ways to preserve them after the event.

What to do with the photos after the reunion

Family reunions are a special time - don’t let your memories of the time together disappear into the noise of digital life! The best way to remember & honor your time together is by bringing your digital photos to life in an album or printed product. Nothing beats the feeling of flipping through old photos, remembering the quirks and personalities of the different family members, or the story of what happened when you were gathered together.

(Forgive the quality of the handheld, iPhone video below - the polished photos I took of the album got lost in the shuffle of family illness this winter, but I had to at least give you an idea of what it looked like!)

Short video showing the embossed, linen, heirloom-quality album made with these photos.

Family reunion photos that tell your story

Your family story is unique; you deserve beautiful, high-quality photos that tell that story! Reach out today to explore your session.

How do I make my family photos unique?

I get this question never (lol), but it popped up in a recent Google search and I decided to write about it!

I’ve talked about the uniqueness and joy of telling your story earlier on the blog (and there’s a great example there of a creative photo session), but maybe you’re like me and need a few more concrete ideas to kick off your creativity. Before we get to the specifics, though, start here:

Ask yourself a few questions

I’m a big fan of self-reflection - part of brainstorming a unique family session is considering what makes your family unique! - but if you’d rather just jump to the concrete suggestions, skip down to the next section.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to get started:

• What do you and your family love to do when you have down time?

• What are your kids’ favorite activities?

• What’s special to you in this season, or unique to your story? Sidenote: it doesn’t have to be unique compared to other people, it could simply be unique for your life right now. What’s happening that you’ve not gone through before? Or that’s meaningful, whether it’s unique or ordinary?

• What are your values? Do you love time together? Racking up adventures? Exploring the world? Quietly making your community a better place? Celebrating your identity? Brainstorm some ideas to memorialize that through photos!

This is just the start, but take a few moments to think through what matters to you, what’s happening in your lives in this season, and how you’d like to remember it, and the concrete ideas will start flowing!

Consider some of these ideas

Now that you’ve thought about what matters and is unique about your story in this season (or you skipped that part and went straight for the concrete suggestions!), here are some ways to bring some uniqueness to your family photos:

Have photos done at home.

It’s uniquely yours, no matter what state it’s in! And it doesn’t have to be Pinterest worthy to be worthy of remembering. Mine certainly isn’t!

Build a favorite activity into your session.

Go for a walk or hike; break out the books, board games, soccer ball, or family olympics; plan a baking activity (*so* many great photos here!) or family picnic; or head to the beach! Other fun ideas include roasting marshmallows in your backyard or favorite camping spot, paddle boarding or kayaking with your teens, going indoor rock climbing…if your family (especially your kids) love doing it, you’ll get great photos and have a blast.

Get kooky (or coordinated!) with outfits

If you have young children who love playing dress-up, your family is really into Halloween or cosplay, or you just love bringing a unique voice to the world through your clothes, plan a session around that! Or dress for your setting - I loved these nap dresses from a beach session!

You make your family photos unique by being you.

It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. No one else does family just like you do, so your photos will be unique no matter what. But if you want to mix it up and try something new this time, let’s talk!

Celebrating a family milestone? Photograph it!

When we think of family photography, we usually think of posed (or semi-posed) portraits in a pretty outdoor location, candid storytelling photos of a day in the life at home, mini sessions, things like that. The emphasis is on portraits and connection and our full attention is given to creating photos.

This month, I had the honor of photographing a birthday party at Surf Seafood in Nashua, NH (sidebar: Surf has amazing food and top-notch service - I highly recommend it!). While we spent a bit of time before dinner snapping a few posed portraits of each of the family members and units, the emphasis of the night was on the party: the celebratory mood, the cake & candles, the family gathered around a long table, that kind of thing.

One of the reasons this particular client reached out was because they wanted to make it possible for family members to sit back, relax, keep their phones off, and enjoy being together, while still having photos to look back on. I loved that! Any time we can find ways to keep technology in its place, especially during important family gatherings, I’m a big fan.

There are stories to be told everywhere: graduations, retirement, birthdays, family reunions - if there is a special life event happening and your people are gathering around to help you celebrate, let me help you remember it forever!

Minis v. family sessions: how to pick between the two

Mini sessions have been around long enough that most people know the difference between them and a full family session, but here are a few things to consider when you’re thinking about booking one or the other!

Minis are great when…

• You’re short on time and need a quick snapshot of you and your loved ones. Minis are 15 minutes at a set date & location. You’re in and out quickly!

• Your kids are outgoing with strangers and/or older (12+): Older kids tend to do better than younger ones with quick photos. They’re usually more willing to follow direction, they get my jokes (lol), and I can easily tell them where and how to pose. Little kids are adorable, and it’s typically harder to earn their cooperation in such a short period of time.

• You love having seasonal photos of you and your loved ones.

• You’re flexible: Minis are typically scheduled at a set location/time, with a rain date in case the always-fickle New England weather has other plans. It helps to have some scheduling flexibility.

• You’re on a budget: You really want some special, updated photos of you and your family and you’re on a tight budget. Family photos are an investment, regardless of the session length. I offer minis to make them more accessible for more families, because nothing matters more than photos of you with your people!

Family sessions are great when:

• You’re looking for more candid photos. More time means more natural, candid, and relaxed images of you and your family. I can sometimes snag one or two of these in a mini, but it’s rare. More time is necessary for candids!

• You want to capture your unique story. Whether it’s the sweet, nuanced ways you love to show affection; a fun outing; or a meaningful family routine, more time means more opportunity for me to see and photograph your unique story.

• You want photos with the grandparents (or aunts & uncles, cousins, best friends - any extra family members!). Maybe you’re planning a party, maybe you have family visiting, or maybe it’s just been awhile since the grandparents got photos with their grandkids: a family session is a great way to get those images.

• Families with shy or little kids - more time might seem counter-intuitive, but for shy and/or little ones (under 12), the more time we have, the more time they get to warm up to me and let their true selves shine.

• You want a say in where your photos are taken. Maybe that’s at home, your backyard, a favorite hiking spot or park, or someplace entirely different, but family sessions allow more time and freedom to build a session that’s unique to your family.

• You have a special family tradition or activity that you want to remember with more than just your phone photos (and YOU want to be in those photos, Mom!).

Now that you have a better idea how to pick between a mini session and a family session, let’s get a date on the calendar! Check out my 2023 fall sessions here:

Family photos *your* way, not mine

I love a good family session in the woods or by the beach - there’s plenty of gorgeous scenery, beautiful light, and loads of opportunities for natural moments of play and connection and joy.

But you know what else I love? When a family comes to me and wants to tell their story their way. Maybe that’s the forest or the beach, but maybe you love the city and want photos there (with an edgy, editorial feel like @drmramas’ family session in this reel!); maybe you just renovated your home and want to document your daily life there; maybe your house desperately needs to be renovated but it’s home and you love it and you want to remember the little, mundane moments you’ve spent there.

Maybe you’re anticipating loss and you want to remember something about *this* season, before the loss. Maybe you don’t love how you look on camera right now but your family loves you as you are and you want to remember that care and connection for years to come. Maybe your family isn’t a traditional one (whatever that means) and you want to celebrate them anyway!

There are all kinds of things about your story that make it unique; let’s tell them! Book a call to explore the options (no pressure or hounding or anything like that afterwards); head to my Inquiries page or click the “Get Started” button below!

3 tips for a great spring photo session

Spring in New Hampshire is a delightful time for family photos: the flowers are in bloom, the days are warming and lengthening, everyone is itching to get out of the house and go on an adventure, it’s just the best. It can also be muddy, rainy, or cold (or all three!), so here are some tips to make the most of your spring family session.

Pick a spot where there’s an indoor option or quick shelter

You never know when a shower will pop up (or a full day of rain in the forecast!), so my top tip for spring sessions is to plan it for a place you love that has an indoor option. Your home is a fantastic place to start: your kids will be more relaxed, it’s the place where you live the ins and outs of your story, and it’s the feeling you’ll want to remember later. Even if your home is not as tidy, updated, or bright as you want it to be, you’d be amazed at the kind of photos you can get at your own home.

Not feeling the at-home session? We’ll brainstorm other favorite places of yours (and mine!) that have some shelter and go from there.

Plan for messes!

With wet grass, mud puddles, and overflowing streams, someone is bound to get wet during your session! We’ll work together to keep it to a minimum (especially at first and especially if you’re looking for a more posed, traditional family portrait), but think of the stories we could tell with a bunch of rain boots, umbrellas, and rain coats, or muddy hands, like my son’s at the beginning of this post. So many beautiful stories!

Be flexible

If your heart is set on an outdoor-only session, flexibility is the name of the game! I’ll always ask when we book your session if you want to schedule a back-up date or play it by ear (I highly recommend planning a back-up date!), especially in the spring and fall when the weather can be so unpredictable. We keep an eye on the weather, stay in touch the few days before, and make a call the night before so you’re not rushed or concerned the day-of.

Make the most of it and book your spring session today!

How to find the right photographer for your next family session

Family photographers are a dime-a-dozen these days; trying to find the right one for your family can be overwhelming! Here are some key questions to consider when you start looking, that will help make sure you get the most out of your family session.

Is there a particular look & feel or style you’re looking for?

Every photographer has their own style and approach to photography - and there are some big trends in family photography right now that some photographers build a business around and others don’t (e.g. boho dresses and very warm-toned editing - very popular right now but not my thing!) Whether you’re looking at photographers keeping up with the latest trends or not, we all have our own styles and approaches to photography. Do you see yourself in our photos? Does our style match yours? If it does, fantastic - we’re a good fit! If not, look for someone who better matches your style.

Take a look at the photographer’s published images, on their website or social media. What do you like about their images? What don’t you like?

Depending on your creative background, you may or may not see a huge difference in different photographers’ styles; if you don’t, that’s ok, but it’s important to look at their portfolio anyway. How do their images make you feel? How are the families posed (or not) in the images and is this what you’re looking for? My family work is available on my families page, blog, and Instagram.

Do you need wardrobe support?

Some photographers offer a client closet, some offer a styling service, and some will give feedback/direction on outfits but mostly leave it to you (that’s me!). There’s no right or wrong here, it’s all about what you need and what you’re hoping to get out of the experience.

Do you connect easily with them? Are they warm and friendly?

Capturing real, authentic connection between you and your loved ones starts with how you relate to your photographer. If they can put you at ease, you’ll be more relaxed in your session and able to get those beautiful, storytelling images you’re looking for!

What’s your budget?

Family photography is an investment, whether you’re doing a quick mini session or a full family session. Think about what you’re looking for and how much you’d like to spend, and then start doing your research.

(Sidenote: another trend in family photography is to wait to share pricing until after a client reaches out & schedules a call. There are certainly pros to this for the photographer, but I prefer to be up front so you know what you’re getting into, whether you’re on a budget or not. Check out my family session packages and pricing here.)

Those are my top criteria when looking for my own family photographers; what about you?

What to do with your Digital Originals

You’ve downloaded your beautifully-edited Digital Originals (full-resolution JPGs always! Plus some smaller files for social media sharing) - now it’s time to think about prints!

I absolutely love creating wall art, albums, greeting cards and other photo gifts with my own family photos, to bring them out of the digital world and into our everyday lives. They’re tangible, my kids can pull books off the shelves or point to photos on the wall, and we can all reminisce together about the adventures we’ve had. There’s nothing like it!

Lucky for you, I’ve created a few ways to do the same thing with your images. Read on to learn more!

Order heirloom-quality prints & wall art through your gallery

Did you know that you can order prints of any of the images in your gallery, not just the ones you downloaded? Head to your gallery, add your favorites to your cart, and boom! you’ve got printed images.

And don’t forget to get them framed! I’m working on offering framing in 2022 but, for now, I love Frame Theory in Milford, NH (tell them I sent you!), or American Frames online.

Get a custom, keepsake photo book or album

There’s nothing quite as special as having your family story printed in book form. I’ve got two options: a layflat photo book that looks and feels just like the other books on your shelves, but with gorgeous photos of you! [Photos coming soon!] Option two is a stunning, linen-covered and embossed album - a beautiful family heirloom gift for all occasions. Pricing starts at $250; Contact me directly for more info.

Shop consumer-quality prints, wall art, and other photo gifts through mPix.

There is no denying the quality of prints you can order from your gallery - the colors, textures, and durability are the best of the best. That said, I want everyone to be able to get their images printed, and if custom, heirloom-quality printing just isn’t in your budget, mPix is for you! Their prints are the best consumer option out there in terms of color & print quality, and they have dozens of fun photo gifts. Upload your Digital Originals directly, or contact me to get your full gallery uploaded.

I get a small commission on purchases here, but it doesn't affect your price.

Shop eco-friendly greeting cards and other photo gifts through Paper Culture.

I love Paper Culture because they’re committed to creating photo cards & gifts sustainably, using recycled paper and responsibly-sourced wood for their products. And their gifts are gorgeous!

I get a small commission on purchases here, but it doesn’t affect your price.

Share your favorite images on social media.

Don’t forget to tag me when you do (@lynnaeday on Insta, @lynnaedayphotography on FB)! I can’t tell you how much it helps my new little business grow when friends see your beautiful images. If you loved them and you love sharing family images on social media, share away!

Not sharing personal images on social media, but want your friends and family to see them anyway? Share your gallery link! Simply forward it to them in an email and they’ll have instant access.

How will you use your family session photos? I can’t wait to see!

…

P.S. If you choose to print/use your photos elsewhere, that's perfectly fine (you do you!), just know that I stand by the quality of these recommendations over all other printing services and I want you to have the best! If you still want to use your own favorite printing sources, just be sure to use your Digital Originals, *not* any social-media-sized images (although do feel free to share those on social media & tag me!), to get the best print quality.

Eastham, MA, family lifestyle session

Eastham is a special place for my family so I was thrilled when it worked out to meet up with Liz and her family while we were both on vacation!

We hung out at First Encounter Beach, playing in the sand & tide pools. It was the epitome of “light and loveliness” - what I’m all about capturing for your family around here! I can’t get enough of the light by the ocean late August through mid-October - it’s brilliantly clear, bright, and just makes colors SING. 

I also loved listening to Poppa sing to his great-granddaughter, watching big sister lose herself in play, and marveling at how chill little sister was!

It’s not too late to book a family session on the beach - Cape, North Shore, NH, or Maine! What are your favorite spots? Want to savor the last days of warm, beautiful weather with me and make some light & lovely memories?

Newburyport, MA, family lifestyle session

New England beaches are my absolute favorite! Nothing beats the sand, sun, blue skies, and smell of salt in the air.

I met Donna & her family at Plum Island Point - not exactly the prettiest of New England beaches (my pick, for easy parking purposes!) but you better believe we made the most of it. That pavilion, the sand, and hazy blue skies were stunning backdrops for this crew’s first extended family session, celebrating the first granddaughter! Speaking of granddaughter, we got some adorable happy photos of her, but also? She’s a baby and wasn’t happy for part of the time, and that’s ok! I’m big on capturing you and your family as you are, which means that sometimes babies are sad when we’re together. I work with you ahead of time to figure out the best possible time to make sure everyone’s happy and well rested, but life happens, you know? And now this family has some beautiful, REAL memories of this season in their lives.

What’s your family’s story? I’d love to get to know you and work together to capture your personal light and loveliness.

Family mini session: Hollis, NH

I kicked off the start of Lynnae Day Photography with a couple of mini sessions at Beaver Brook in Hollis, NH. This sweet family chose these sessions as their very first professional photos and I was so honored to spend time with them! We had fun climbing on rocks, goofing off with an “epic” family band photo (my album cover photography needs some work ;) ), and enjoying the few moments together.

Family mini session: Hollis, NH

I kicked off the start of Lynnae Day Photography with a couple of mini sessions at Beaver Brook in Hollis, NH. These dear friends drove all the way up from the Boston area for a quick session and I couldn’t be more grateful! We had loads of fun in a short time, and then kept the fun going with a family hike & picnic. Thank goodness for beautiful outdoor spaces for photos & connecting with friends after one heck of a long year!

Arlington, MA, family lifestyle session

My first official family lifestyle session went off without a hitch in Arlington, MA, last month! We hung out at Menotomy Rocks Park for about an hour, finding all the pretty spots & enjoying the playground. My favorite moments are when the “camera face” comes off and the kids (and adults!) lose themselves in the playing & connecting, and just have fun being together.

Light & loveliness everywhere you look!