Extended Family Photographer in Missouri | Stratman Easter in Vienna, MO

​There’s something really special about photographing extended families — especially when everyone gathers in one place, for one moment in time.

This recent session in Vienna was exactly that.

Three generations came together at the grandparents’ home for Easter — kids running around, dogs weaving through everyone’s legs, laughter in every corner. It wasn’t just a photoshoot… it was a full, living memory unfolding in real time.

And those are always my favorite to capture.

​Why Extended Family Sessions Matter

Extended family photos aren’t just about getting “everyone in one picture.”
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They’re about documenting:

• grandparents with their grandkids
• siblings who don’t get to see each other often
• the in-between moments — laughter, chaos, connection
• the place where it all happens

This session took place at the grandparents’ home — a space filled with history, traditions, and meaning. And that adds something you just can’t recreate anywhere else.

​A Real-Life, Lived-In Kind of Session

This wasn’t a perfectly posed, overly structured shoot.

It was:

• kids playing in the yard
• couples chatting and laughing
• dogs joining in (because of course they did 🐾)
• candid moments happening naturally

Yes, we captured the classic group photos — but we didn’t stop there.
​
Every extended family session includes:

• full group portraits
• each individual family unit
• couples
• grandparents with grandkids
• individual portraits (as desired)

Because every relationship matters — not just the big group shot.

​Fast Turnaround Without Sacrificing Quality

This session was photographed on a Sunday…
…and delivered by Wednesday.

Over 400 fully edited images were included — giving the family a wide variety of moments, combinations, and candid memories to choose from.

No waiting weeks. No limited selections.
​
Just a full story, delivered quickly.

​Including Every Member of the Family (Yes, Even the Dogs)

One of my favorite parts of this session was how truly inclusive it was.
​
Every branch of the family was there — including:

• adult children and their spouses
• grandchildren of all ages
• and every dog that came along for the holiday

Because let’s be honest… dogs are family too.

​Why At-Home Sessions Are So Meaningful

There’s something different about photographing families in a place that already holds memories.

At-home extended family sessions:

• feel more relaxed and natural
• allow for movement and spontaneity
• capture the environment where traditions happen
• preserve not just people, but place

Years from now, these photos won’t just show faces.
​
They’ll bring back:

• the house
• the yard
• the feeling of being together

​My Approach to Extended Family Photography

As an extended family photographer in Missouri, my goal is to balance:

✔ Structure — so you get every important combination
✔ Flexibility — so nothing feels rushed
✔ Observation — so candid moments aren’t missed

I guide when needed, but I also step back and let real life happen.
​
Because that’s where the best photos live.

​Planning Your Extended Family Session

​The best time to book an extended family session is when everyone is already together:

• holidays (like Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
• family reunions
• milestone celebrations
• vacations

You’re already in one place — why not capture it?

​Extended Family Photography in Missouri

Whether you’re gathering at:

• a family home
• a park
• a lake house
• or anywhere meaningful to your family

These sessions are about more than photos.
​
They’re about preserving connection.

​Book Your Extended Family Session

If you’re looking for an extended family photographer in Missouri who captures real moments — not just posed ones — I’d love to work with you.

📍 Based in Springfield, Missouri
📅 Booking through early July 2026 (When I'm moving to The Netherlands)

👉 Call/Text: 417-848-0932
👉 Email: [email protected]

Let’s document your family as it is — beautifully, honestly, and together.