I love the layers, complexity, and depth of story that come to life when a big family or multiple generations gather under one roof. What I don’t want is an extended family session where everyone stands stiffly and smiles for a couple of quick photos.

I want to join your family at a gathering; I want to see the ways you all love each other and find connection on the rare occasion that everyone is in one place together.


For this extended family session, I joined them for a birthday gathering celebrating their father/grandfather/husband/great-grandfather. Four generations gathered under one roof, in a home that’s been at the center of their lives for decades.

Living alongside the family for a couple of hours, I photographed them as the celebration took place and directed here and there for more intentional photos. The women seemed like a tight-knit village so I was especially excited to photograph them together.