Home for the Holidays: The Perfect Time for a Multi-Generational Family Portrait

Sep 25, 2025 | By: Stephanie Richer Photography

Multi-generational family portrait in studio with grandmother at center, children and grandchildren arranged naturally on stools, created from separate group photos composited together for a panoramic look

A holiday-ready family portrait that brings every generation together. Created by photographing smaller groups separately and compositing them into one seamless pano — perfect for large families without feeling crowded.

The holidays have a way of pulling us back together.

Parents, grandparents, kids coming home from college — sometimes it feels like the only time the whole family gathers under one roof anymore. Between busy schedules, distance, and everyday life, those moments are rare and fleeting.

That’s why, in my studio, the coffee’s hot, the cookies are ready, and the welcome is warm. Feeding people is my love language, and I want your family portrait to feel less like an appointment and more like a holiday gathering.

And that’s exactly why the holiday season is the perfect opportunity to capture a multi-generational portrait.

Four generations of women in one family portrait, from young girl to great-grandmother, smiling together in a studio setting

Four generations, one timeless portrait. From great-grandmother to granddaughter, these are the moments that celebrate family legacy and the picture everyone remembers.

Why the Holidays Are Special

Think about it: everyone is already dressed a little nicer, the house is decorated, and there’s a warmth in the air that only this season brings. It’s more than a holiday — it’s a reunion. These are the moments you’ll want to remember, not just this year, but twenty or thirty years from now.

The Gift of a Family Legacy

A multi-generational portrait is more than just a photo for the holiday card — it’s a legacy portrait. One day, your children and grandchildren will look at it and see the thread that ties them to something bigger: the story of your family.

It’s also the picture that everyone remembers. The one that hangs on the wall for decades, gets pulled out at reunions, and shows future generations what it felt like to belong to something bigger than themselves.

Elderly woman with curly white hair wearing a blue blouse and pearl necklace, seated on a carved chair in a studio portrait

A timeless portrait of a beloved great-grandmother. Sessions like these honor the heart of the family, creating the picture everyone remembers for generations to come.

When “Next Year” Isn’t Guaranteed

We all like to think there will be endless opportunities to gather again. But life changes quickly — kids move away, grandparents age, and sometimes “next year” doesn’t come the way we expect.

When I photographed weddings, I often asked to take a picture of the grandmother of the couple. She’d wave me off and say, “Oh, I’m old, I don’t need a picture of me.” And I’d reply, “But if you died tomorrow, what picture will be at the memorial service?” Nine times out of ten, she’d laugh and say, “Good heavens, you’re right — get a good one, will you?”

That’s the truth of portraits: they matter most when people are gone. Better to make sure you have a great one while you still can.

Great-grandfather holding infant great-grandson while teenage great-grandson sits beside him, smiling, in a black-and-white portrait.

One great-grandfather with two great-grandsons. This portrait was created right in his living room — proof that my studio can travel to homes or favorite outdoor locations when mobility or comfort makes it easier.

Make This Year Count (and Make It Fun)

Here’s the best part: a family portrait doesn’t have to be stiff or serious. At my studio, I take care of the details — even the refreshments — so you can relax and enjoy the time together. Feeding people is my love language, and I love turning a portrait session into something that feels more like a holiday get-together than an appointment.

Sip a warm drink, share a laugh, and let the kids show off their personalities. That joy is what makes a portrait shine.

Because portraits aren’t just about looking perfect; they’re about remembering what it felt like to be together. And years from now, when the tree is long gone and the decorations are boxed away, this will be the picture that everyone remembers.

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