When a family plans a vacation at the Outer Banks, they invest a lot of time and money to make that vacation perfect! I’m blessed to live so close by and we have our sweet camper at the beach where we spend most of the summer. So when someone wants an Outer Banks photographer for a family photo session, I am thrilled to meet them on the beach with my camera in hand!

For the session I am sharing today, I was contacted by Hayley, one of three siblings, to set up an extended family session while her family was on vacation in Corolla, NC. An extended family session is a session that includes each individual family unit, siblings together, larger group shots include the grandparents with their children. Grandparents with their grandchildren. Cousins together. Whatever groupings a family wants, I make it happen. I adore these sessions because I know how precious the photos are when you have a large family. Your children will grow up and you will have moments with grandparents and cousins preserved forever!

This extended family session took place behind their beach cottage in Corolla, NC. That made it so convenient for the family. I knew we had little ones in the photos and having a place nearby without a long trek makes things go so much more smoothly when kids are involved. Y’all know as a mom of five with toddler twins, I get it! This spot on the beach was ideal with tide pools all around us for them to stand and splash in. While Corolla was showing off with its pristine shoreline and golden light at sunset, it had rained my entire drive there from Elizabeth City. I could see the blue skies ahead and when I arrived it was sunny and clear! Thank goodness!

Hayley booked the session for her family and also to have pictures announcing her pregnancy. Her sister has two sweet babes and this will be Hayley’s first child. Pregnancy is such an incredible time and I love photographing announcements of this miracle! Hayley and her husband brought along one of their ultrasound images to share in the announcement. Whenever I see an ultrasound of a baby I always think of Psalm 139:13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

One question I often get from clients before their session is “what should we wear?” First and foremost, your outfit choices should reflect your personal style! Don’t dress in a way that is completely different from how you love to look. You should put some thought into your clothing choices. Your photos with a professional Outer Banks photographer are an investment. Don’t just show up like you left work! Bring the best version of your own style so when you look back on your images, you love what you see. This family coordinated wonderfully within a neutral color scheme that worked so well for beach photos. I adored their outfit choices. 

When I sat down to cull through the images and edit them, it was hard to choose my favorites. The entire session was EXCEPTIONALLY beautiful because they all looked like models. You can tell that everyone was super excited to be on vacation with each other. There is a lot of love throughout this entire family and I feel honored to have captured that love with my camera.

While I could not pick a favorite photo, I did especially love Mom (Mimi), Jamie, was SUPER animated and fabulous while running through the water with her entire family at the end. She was laughing out loud and ran through the waves like a little kid. I know she is a super fun Mimi to her grandkids and now she has another sweet grandbaby on the way to share in the fun!

If you are ready to gather up your extended family for a photo session, I am scheduling out into 2022 with a few spots left for the fall of 2021. Let’s get you a spot so you can start planning your session!