Because after a photoshoot like this, you feel full of energy for the next few days! It’s like every person brings their own energy, and when there are 20 or 30 people at the session, all that energy comes together and flows through you! Maybe I’m just very empathetic, but that’s exactly how it feels for me 🙂
In this article, I’ll show you one of these family photo sessions, and I’ll also tell you what to wear for a family photoshoot, the best time for it, the best location, and more. We chose Bavaro Beach for this session, and there was a good reason for that. I’ll tell you about it a little later. Also, while I have the chance, let me do a little self-promotion — if you’re looking for a family photographer in Punta Cana or a Dominican Republic photographer, feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to become a part of your amazing Caribbean vacation! Alright, enough promotion — let’s get to the useful information 😎
What Is a Group Family Photoshoot?
The name says it all — it’s a photoshoot for a group of people. For me, a family of up to 5 or 6 people is just a regular family, and I wouldn’t call that a group. But when 2, 3, or more families come together, especially if they are all related, that’s the perfect example of a group family photoshoot. For example, a couple may have 3 or 4 sons and daughters, and each of them has their own family with 1 to 4 children. Before you know it, you have a group of 15 to 20 people.
This time, it was one big family from Chile, with 21 people in total. You might think, “That’s a lot of people… How long does a photoshoot like this take?” But we finished everything in just 20–30 minutes because the most important part is organizing everything the right way! Yes… a photographer in Punta Cana is also an organizer, a psychologist, a stylist, and much more…
How Does a Group Family Photoshoot Work?
The most important thing is to find the family leader — the person who can help organize everyone. The structure of the photoshoot is very simple: we start with the smallest groups and finish with the biggest one. First, we photograph each family separately, and then we take one big photo with everyone together. In between, we can also take group photos of all the girls, all the boys, all the adults, or all the kids. Why do we do it this way? Because everyone has time to relax, warm up, and by the time we take the final group photo, everyone feels comfortable, happy, and full of energy.
For example, let’s say we have three families, each with 2 to 4 children. The moms and dads are brothers and sisters, and at the top of the family are the grandparents. Out of respect, we usually start with photos of Grandma and Grandpa. They are also the most experienced and confident people in the family. Then we take photos of each family together and separately: the children, the parents, the girls, and the boys. After that, we can take group photos of all the girls, all the boys, all the adults, or all the kids. At the very end, we take one big family photo.
In every large family, there are always one or two people who are the life of the family. The interesting part is that everyone already knows exactly who that person is — you just have to ask! “So, who is the most energetic person here and can help organize everyone?” As a photographer in Punta Cana, it’s impossible for me to remember everyone’s names right away, and I don’t know the whole family personally. But the “life of the family” knows everyone’s name and knows how to connect with everyone. I just explain how the photoshoot will go, and that’s it — everything runs smoothly.
The Best Places for a Group Family Photoshoot in Punta Cana
This part is actually very simple. A group family photoshoot is not really about the location — it’s about the people. What matters is not WHERE, but WHO and WITH WHOM. That’s why almost any location is perfect for a group family photoshoot: any beach, any resort, or even a palm grove. What’s much more important is the photographer’s experience — knowing how to organize everyone, arrange the group, and choose the right time for the photoshoot. By the way, the time of the session is really important because light is what creates beautiful photos, and that’s not just a nice metaphor.
If we take a quick look at history, the word “photography” comes from two Ancient Greek words: φῶς (“light”) and γράφω (“to write, ” “to draw, ” or “to create an image”). So, photography literally means “drawing with light.” 🤓
Now, let’s get back to our group family photoshoot at Bavaro Beach! Why did I choose Bavaro Beach? It’s a perfect place for group family photos because it has plenty of space, soft white sand that doesn’t get too hot, and a beautiful background for large family portraits. I’ve also written a detailed article about Bavaro Beach where I cover everything you need to know from A to Z. 🤓
What Is the Best Time for a Group Family Photoshoot at Bavaro Beach?
The answer is simple — morning. Why?
First, after the night, the weather is cooler and much more comfortable for both children and adults. The sand is still cool and pleasant to walk on.
Second, many people are still sleeping or having breakfast, so the beach is much less crowded. Of course, any professional photographer in Punta Cana knows how to take photos without people in the background, but it’s always better when there are no people there at all.
Third, on the beaches of Punta Cana, the morning sun shines from the ocean, creating much softer and more beautiful light than in the evening.
Fourth, mornings usually have the clearest and sunniest weather. Later in the day, clouds often start to appear before the afternoon rain, so the second half of the day is usually much cloudier.
Fifth… there are probably another 5–10 reasons, but I don’t want to overload you with too much information or sound too boring! So let’s stop at these four reasons 🙂
Sunrise in Punta Cana is usually around 6–7 AM, and the best time for a photoshoot is between 9 and 10 AM. That’s when you get the most beautiful photos. Why not earlier or later? Before 9 AM, the sun is still too low, the light comes directly into your eyes, and the photos look flat. After 12 PM, the sun is already too high, and it becomes very hot. I would even say that the light after noon is the worst because the sun is almost directly overhead, creating harsh shadows from the nose and eyebrows on the face. On top of that, the sun is very strong, so it’s easy to get sunburned or even suffer from heat exhaustion. I strongly recommend avoiding photoshoots between 12 PM and 3 PM.
What Should You Wear for a Group Family Photoshoot in Punta Cana?
This is a very important question! It’s best to choose everyone’s outfits carefully so the group photo looks beautiful and no one stands out more than the others. I recommend soft pastel shades and neutral colors, such as white, black, gray, beige, peach, and similar tones. Just look at the photo — you can see how two people stand out because they are wearing brighter colors.
Overall, with a group this large, it’s completely normal if someone ends up wearing something that stands out a little. Luckily, no one showed up in bright red — otherwise, we could have called the photoshoot “The Main Character and Their Family.” 😁
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Long Does a Group Family Photoshoot Take?
You might think that the longer the photoshoot, the better — but it’s actually the opposite! If the session takes too long, many people, especially children, will get tired and bored. They’ll start getting fussy, and we’ll have to end the photoshoot early. And who needs that extra stress? In my opinion, a group family photoshoot should take about 30 minutes, or 45 minutes at the very most.
How Many People Can Join?
The biggest group family photoshoot I’ve done had about 50 people, but I’m ready for new records! I think I could organize a photoshoot for 100 people as well. As you can imagine, there really isn’t a limit. With good organization, everything will go smoothly — and the more people, the more fun!
Can We Bring Young Children to a Group Family Photoshoot?
Of course! They’re the most important part of the photoshoot. But it’s important to remember that young children get tired the fastest, and their mood can change very quickly. That’s why you need the “heavy artillery” to keep them happy—make sure they’ve had a nap before the session, eaten well, and bring toys or other things that can keep them entertained.
Where Does a Group Family Photoshoot Take Place in Punta Cana?
It can take place on any beach or even at your resort. The most important thing is choosing an experienced photographer in Punta Cana who knows how to organize everyone properly. Of course, I can only recommend one person — Punta Cana photographer Alex Po. But to be honest, I also have many talented colleagues who do amazing work.
Can We Have a Group Family Photoshoot Near Our Hotel?
It depends on the hotel. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Most resorts have their own photographers, so it’s not financially beneficial for them to allow outside photographers to work on their property. You can always hire the hotel photographer, but in many cases they are amateurs, the photo quality is lower, and they often charge even more than a professional photographer in Punta Cana from outside the resort. If your hotel is located in the Bavaro or Uvero Alto area, you can usually walk just 10–15 minutes away from the resort and have the photoshoot in a neutral location. I wrote more about these places in my Bavaro Beach guide. In any case, any experienced photographer in Punta Cana will recommend the most convenient and stress-free location. Feel free to contact me, and we’ll discuss the best option for you.
When Is the Best Time for a Group Family Photoshoot in Punta Cana?
The best time is the morning. Why? Because it’s cooler after the night, the sand isn’t hot yet, there are fewer people on the beach, and the morning sun coming from the ocean creates beautiful, soft light. You’re also well-rested and ready for the photoshoot.
What If It Starts Raining?
Celebrate! Haha! It’s a great chance to create unique, natural, and fun photos that you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
Seriously though, rain does happen in Punta Cana from time to time, but it usually lasts only 10–15 minutes. I wouldn’t worry about bad weather. The weather here is beautiful all year round, and there really isn’t a true rainy season—sometimes it’s just a short passing shower.
What Should We Wear for a Family Photoshoot?
I always recommend neutral colors like white, black, gray, beige, peach, and other soft pastel shades. Everyone in the family is equally important, and if one person wears very bright clothes, they’ll stand out much more than everyone else.
Does Everyone Need to Wear the Same Outfit?
Not at all, but it does look great! Matching or similar outfits in color and style are always a wonderful idea.
Can We Take Photos Barefoot on the Beach?
Absolutely! In fact, I believe beach photos should always be taken barefoot because it looks natural and authentic. It’s also much more comfortable since wearing shoes on the beach can get very hot.
Can We Combine a Family Photoshoot with an Individual Photoshoot?
Of course! This is actually a very common situation. We usually start with the family photoshoot for about 30 minutes, and then move on to an individual session for someone in the family, such as a child or the parents.
It’s better to do the family photos first because there are more people involved, and there’s always a chance that someone will get tired sooner than the others.
What Should We Do with Our Personal Belongings During the Photoshoot?
There is always a chance that unattended personal belongings could be stolen, especially if the photoshoot takes place on a public beach. On private beaches, however, this is extremely rare.
The ideal option is to come to the photoshoot with as few personal items as possible—just your phone, some cash, and your room key if they fit in your pocket. If you do bring personal belongings, simply keep an eye on them and leave them in the safest place possible. Personally, I can’t remember a single case where someone’s belongings were stolen during one of my photoshoots, and I’ve photographed more than 1,000 sessions in the Dominican Republic.
How Do You Choose a Photographer for a Group Family Photoshoot in Punta Cana?
I think the most important qualities for a family photographer are good communication, patience, and the ability to work with children. It’s also important to understand that photographers who mainly focus on posed photography are usually not the best choice, because family photography is all about capturing real moments.
I can recommend a great family photographer in Punta Cana—Alex Po. But I wouldn’t honestly say he’s the best photographer in Punta Cana, because there are many talented photographers living and working here.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Photos?
The delivery time always depends on the photographer. There isn’t one standard in the Dominican Republic. Some photographers deliver the photos within a week, while others may take a couple of months. As for me, I deliver every photoshoot within 24 hours. If we have your session today, you’ll receive your photos tomorrow.
How Many Photos Will We Receive?
That depends on the photographer in Punta Cana. Some photographers deliver a large number of photos without editing. Others deliver fewer photos but spend much more time editing each one. Speaking for myself, I consider 50–100 photos per hour to be the standard, and I always edit every photo as well as I possibly can.
Can We Book a Last-Minute Photoshoot in Punta Cana for the Same Day?
Most photographers work by advance booking, but there are a few photographers you can contact just an hour before the photoshoot. If they’re available, they’ll be happy to do the session. Of course, if they already have another family booked at that time, that reservation comes first. I always enjoy taking last-minute bookings, so feel free to message me anytime. 😎
I hope you enjoyed this family photoshoot and found the extra information helpful 🙂 If you’d like to capture your vacation in the Dominican Republic, feel free to message me, and we’ll plan your photoshoot together. I’d be happy to become a part of your happiest memories!
About the author:
Alex Po is a photographer in Punta Cana. He first came to the Dominican Republic in 2011. He has been a photographer for more than 15 years and has done hundreds of photo shoots on Bavaro Beach. Family photo shoots are Alex’s favorite and the most meaningful to him, so most of his regular photo sessions are family photo shoots.