Some family photos are about one household. Others are about everyone - grandparents who flew in for the first time, cousins who live on different continents, three generations gathered in one city for one week. As a family photographer in Valencia, these big reunion sessions are some of my favorite work: they happen rarely, they can't be repeated, and the photos end up mattering more with every passing year.
When the Whole Family Is Finally in One Place
A family reunion in Valencia usually has one thing in common: it took years to organize. Someone lives in London, someone in Dubai, the grandparents are visiting from back home, and this one week is the only time everyone overlaps. A photoshoot on that trip isn't just another vacation activity - it's often the first professional photo of the complete family, and sometimes the only one for years to come.
Grandparents in the Frame
Sessions with grandparents move at a different pace, and I plan for that - shorter walking distances, shaded spots to rest, locations with benches and easy access. The goal is a session where the oldest generation is comfortable, not exhausted, because the warmth in these photos comes entirely from how everyone feels in the moment.
International and Multicultural Families
Valencia attracts families from everywhere, and some of my most memorable sessions have been with big international families - different generations, different countries, sometimes traditional dress from more than one culture in a single frame. If your family spans continents and cultures, that's not a complication for the session - it's the story we're telling.
Making a Big Group Work
Ten or fifteen people is a different logistical task than a family of four, and this is where planning matters: locations with space to spread out, a light schedule that doesn't rush anyone, and a structure that alternates big all-together frames with smaller combinations - grandparents with grandkids, siblings together, each household separately - so everyone leaves with photos that matter to them specifically.
Let's Document Your Family's Legacy
Getting every generation in the same city at the same time is a rare achievement that often takes years to coordinate. Don't let this unique overlap pass without capturing it properly. Let’s collaborate to plan a comfortable, unhurried session that honors your family's dynamic and creates a visual legacy you will value for decades.
Explore More Family Locations
If you're picturing something greener, wilder, or more expansive instead, my family sessions at the wide beaches of El Saler, the shaded botanical pathways of Turia Park, or Port Saplaya offer a very different mood away from the colorful canals.
FAQ: Planning a Multi-Generational Session
How many people can you photograph in one session?
There's no hard limit - I've worked with extended families of fifteen and more. Larger groups need a bit more time, so I'll recommend session length based on your headcount.
Can we split the session into group photos and smaller combinations?
Yes - that's exactly how I structure big sessions: full-group frames first while everyone's fresh, then smaller combinations so each household and generation gets their own set.
Our grandparents can't walk long distances - is that a problem?
Not at all. I choose locations with easy access, shade, and places to sit, and we build the session around what's comfortable for the oldest generation.
We're only in Valencia for a few days - can you fit us in?
Reach out as early as you can with your dates. Vacation and reunion sessions are time-sensitive by nature, and I'll do my best to work around your trip's schedule.