WHY GENERATIONAL FAMILY PORTRAITS MATTER MORE THAN YOU THINK
A New York City Photographer’s Guide to Including Grandparents in Family Photos
Generational family portraits hold a significance that goes far beyond a single moment. For families across New York City and the tri-state area, these images often become the most meaningful records of connection—capturing grandparents, parents, and children together in one frame.
As a Brooklyn-based family photographer, my work has always centered on storytelling through images. Over time, I’ve seen how generational portraits preserve more than faces; they hold culture, memory, and the relationships that shape who we are. After the recent loss of my father, this work became deeply personal. What once felt like something we could plan for “someday” now feels far more essential.
At Candace Howe Studios, generational portraiture is not an add-on or a trend—it is the heartbeat of how we document family legacy.
WHAT ARE GENERATIONAL FAMILY PORTRAITS?
A Generational family portrait session is a chance to include multiple generations in a single photoshoot. They serve as visual time capsules preserving the stories, traditions, and shared history that live within families, especially those shaped by rich cultural heritage. Through intentional portrait photography, families are able to weave together past and present—honoring the people who came before while celebrating those still growing.
These images become more than photographs. They become a living record of belonging, connection, and continuity—one that gains meaning with every passing year.
WHO SHOULD BE THERE?
Who did you think of the first time you considered this type of session? There’s no single, right configuration but it should feel the most meaningful to your family.
Since to point of this type of session is to capture generations it would be best to invite the elders in your family but it can also be extended to step-parents, siblings, and even chose family depending on how they impact your family’s journey. Some families want to focus solely on direct lineage and other want to honor those who actively shaped their world.
Who does your family gather around? Who holds the stories, history, and ethos? Those are the relationships that matter most to preserve. All of that history in one frame? Priceless
WE HAVE A BIG FAMILY, HOW DO WE COORDINATE A GENERATIONS PORTRAIT SESSION?
It can feel overwhelming to consider everyone’s personal style and the right outfit looks for your family portraits, especially when we are considering multiple households, schedules, and personalities. The most successful session begins with clean planning and home base coordination. This means timing is of the utmost importance! Select a date far enough ahead that gives you time to plan but not too much so that it slips your mind. Some families plan 1-3 months out!
In our studio for instance we take on much of the heavy lifting of behind the scenes planning so your family simply has to arrive and enjoy their day in the studio together and wont’t have to manage it alone. From scheduling to styling direction it helps to have a team support you all to take away the stress of decision fatigue.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR FOR A FAMILY SESSION?
The primary thing to consider is when you look good you feel good! This goes for everyone involved If there are pieces that are special to your family-heirlooms, a print, or accessory-this is the BEST way to capture your family culture. The little details add depth to your story. For Grandparents, comfort comes first. Consider looks that aren’t too restrictive or revealing. For the younger ones in your group experimentation shines. The goal isn’t to look exactly the same, cohesion beats matchy-matchy looks any day.
For generations portraits select a tone and then consider textures. Soft neutrals, complementary tones, and layered textures leaves rooms for each individual to feel like themselves while still creating a common thread that ties you all together.
At Candace Howe Studios, our design consultations include a custom mood board for your styling and set deisgn. These boards can be shared among the entire family for a visual of what they can expect ahead of time: how the outfits work together, what the set and lighting will be, that way there’s no guessing or angst.
You don’t need everything to be PERFECT to begin planning your generational portrait session. Your connection, a little guidance, and a beautiful space that speaks to who you are in this chapter is all you need. Document the faces that bring you the most joy, honor the legacy of those who shaped your family as you are today, and live in the moment of having everyone you love in one place at one time and what that looks like even if there is a grumpy one in the mix (there’s always one :-). You wont’t regret it-these images will become a gorgeous memory in your family’s story. Held. Revisited. Treasured.
