The Sparks Family | Mini Session Tips for Extended Families with Kids

The Sparks Family | Mini Session Tips for Extended Families with Kids

colorado springs, co

In March, I had the joy of meeting the Sparks family, who were visiting Colorado from Texas. Kristina reached out wanting to surprise her mom with family photos as an early Mother’s Day gift, and idea I absolutely love (especially if your family has grown exponentially over the past few years as theirs has!).

Although we checked the weather that whole week hoping for a warmer morning, we ended up with no choice but making a chilly morning shoot happen. Sometimes, you've got to work with what you've got (and as much as I sometimes wish I could, I can't control the weather). But that didn’t stop us from making it fun and fast — especially for the kids, who were total champs. Mini sessions are perfect for families with littles (particularly in the winter) because they’re short, sweet, and structured. That makes it possible to keep the whole family engaged before the kiddo's attention spans wears thin.

Why Mini Sessions Work for Families with Kids

If you’ve ever tried to wrangle multiple kids (or an extended family) for photos, you know it can feel a bit like chasing chickens. That’s exactly why I love (and often recommend) mini sessions for family photography. They’re designed to work perfectly with short attention spans and unpredictable moods — instead of trying to force perfection, we embrace movement and spontaneity.

With the Sparks family, I focused on moving quickly through all the different family member combinations, kept the energy fun, and encouraged the kids to run and explore between shots. This approach works wonders because it lets children be themselves — goofy, playful, and curious — instead of trying to box them into a specific pose.

Tips for Navigating Extended Family shoots

Extended families can be tricky for photos — multiple kids, parents, grandparents, and a million different photo combinations to work through. My approach to extended family photo sessions (especially mini sessions) is similar to my approach to family photos at weddings. Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years to make the process smoother:

1. Consider keeping sessions short: Mini sessions are perfect because you still get high-quality photos without wearing anyone out.
2. Plan for movement: Be ready to dance with your kids, chase them, swing them around. The more it feels like they are just able to have fun, the more authentic your photos will turn out.
3. Embrace imperfection: The best photos are often the ones with a little chaos — and we all know that there's some chaos that comes with extended family =)
4. Bundle up (if it’s cold!): Layers and cozy accessories can make a huge difference, especially for winter or early-spring shoots.

The Sparks family did all of these beautifully — even with the freezing morning air. We moved fast and laughed a lot, and I think everyone genuinely enjoyed the experience.

Why Family Photos Matter

Family photos are more than just images — they’re memories frozen in time. Mini sessions are especially great for creating these memories in a low-stress environment, giving you images that are full of personality. For the Sparks family, these photos were a special gift for mom — a celebration of how their family has grown and the ways it's changed.

Thank you, Sparks family, for letting me capture your vacation together in Colorado. I hope these photos bring you joy for years to come — and maybe even inspire a few other families to brave a chilly morning for mini session fun!