Family photos are often thought of as parents and kids — maybe with a dog or two thrown in. But there’s one group that’s often missing, even though they play an irreplaceable role in the story of our lives: grandparents.

As a Kansas City family photographer (and as a mom), I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard families say, “I wish we had more photos with Grandma and Grandpa.” The truth is, grandparents are a living link between generations, and including them in family photos isn’t just meaningful now — it becomes priceless later.

The Role of Grandparents in Family Life

Grandparents often anchor families in ways that can’t be measured. They bring history, wisdom, and unconditional love. They bake the recipes that smell like childhood, tell stories from decades ago, and offer a kind of patience that only comes with time.

Photographs that include grandparents don’t just capture people — they capture legacy. They document the bond between generations and preserve it for the future.

Grandparents and children hold hands in Kansas City.

Why Grandparents Get Left Out

So why do grandparents often go missing in family photos?

Logistics. Sessions are usually planned around immediate families.
Assumptions. Parents often think, “We’ll schedule them separately” — but rarely get around to it.
Self-consciousness. Grandparents sometimes shy away, worrying about age, appearance, or “stealing the spotlight.”

The result? Too often, there are only a handful of snapshots at holidays or birthdays — not intentional, beautifully preserved portraits.

Why They Deserve a Spot in the Frame

1. Because They’re Part of the Story

Your kids will want to remember their grandparents’ hands, their smiles, and the way they looked when they leaned down for a hug. These photos become part of your family’s history.

2. Because Childhood Memories Include Them

If your kids spend time with grandparents — whether baking cookies, fishing, or reading stories — those relationships are worth documenting just as much as sibling giggles or parent snuggles.

3. Because Time Is Precious

None of us are promised unlimited time. Having intentional photos with grandparents means you’ll never have to say, “I wish we had one more picture together.”

Grandfather and grandson fishing in Kansas City.

A Story from a Recent Session

Last fall, I photographed a family who invited Grandma along. She didn’t want to “be in the way” but agreed when her daughter insisted. During the session, I caught a candid moment of her grandson wrapping tiny arms around her neck, both laughing uncontrollably.

When I delivered the gallery, that photo was the one the family printed in a large frame. The mom told me, “It’s my favorite picture of the whole session — and I didn’t even realize how much I wanted it until I saw it.”

That’s the power of including grandparents: you capture love you might not even notice in the moment.

How to Include Grandparents in Family Sessions

Invite them intentionally. Let them know they’re not just welcome — they’re wanted.
Keep it simple. Grandparents don’t need to be in every shot. A few intentional photos — a hug, a walk, a laugh — are enough.
Blend candid and posed. Capture them in group photos but also in unplanned interactions with grandkids.
Honor their comfort. If standing for long periods is difficult, we can create seated setups that still feel natural and beautiful.

The Generational Photo

One of the most powerful images you can create is a generational photo: grandparents, parents, and kids together. These portraits highlight continuity — the threads of love, resilience, and family that run across time.

They also become heirlooms. Years down the road, those photos will remind your children not only of who their grandparents were, but of the family values and traditions that were passed down.

What These Photos Mean in the Future

When kids grow up, they won’t just want photos of themselves. They’ll want to remember the people who poured into their lives. A photo of your daughter curled up in Grandma’s lap or your son high-fiving Grandpa will mean the world someday.

For you, those photos will become treasures too. When you look back, you’ll see not just your kids at a certain age, but your parents or in-laws in the midst of their story — vibrant, loving, and present.

Grandparents hold grandchild in Kansas City.

Tips for Parents Planning Sessions with Grandparents

Choose meaningful locations. Maybe at home, at a family farm, or a park where you’ve made memories together.
Encourage interaction. Ask grandparents to play, read, or share a favorite activity with the kids.
Focus on connection, not perfection. Wrinkles, gray hair, and well-worn hands are part of the story — and they’re beautiful.
Print the photos. Don’t just let them live on screens. Give grandparents prints they can hold, frame, and treasure.

Why I Love Photographing Grandparents

Some of my most moving sessions have been those where grandparents were present. There’s a unique tenderness in those moments — a way of holding a baby, a quiet smile, a laugh that carries years of history.

Every time I capture those interactions, I think: This will matter more than they realize right now.

Let’s Celebrate the Whole Family

If you’ve been putting off inviting grandparents into your family photos, consider this your sign. These are the images that will outlast the season, the ones your children and grandchildren will hold onto as family heirlooms.

Because family photography isn’t just about documenting faces. It’s about documenting love — across generations.

Book your Kansas City family session today »