Capturing Family Connections: An Extended Family Photo Session at Casa de la Playa, Isla Mujeres

There’s something truly special about extended family photo sessions—especially when they take place in a dream location like Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Recently, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a warm, joyful extended family during their stay at the luxurious Casa de la Playa, a stunning beachfront villa that offered the perfect backdrop for creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Casa de la Playa is one of those villas that seems straight out of a postcard. With its sweeping ocean views, open-air spaces, tropical landscaping, and elegant design, it provided endless photo opportunities.

When photographing extended families, my goal is always to capture not just the people, but the connections between them. I take time to create a variety of groupings that tell the story of the family as a whole—grandparents with grandkids, siblings reunited, and of course, the entire family as one big, beautiful group. These combinations not only create a full gallery of images, but they also reflect the love, history, and joy that families bring with them on vacation.

I also make sure to include individual portraits—because let’s be honest, you never know when you’re going to need a great photo of yourself! Whether it’s for a holiday card, a new profile picture, or just to remember a time when everyone was together and happy in a beautiful place, these portraits are always appreciated.

When there are children involved (and in this case, there were a few energetic little ones!), I like to start with the “everyone-looking-at-the-camera” photos first. I know how quickly kids can lose interest, so I grab those classic shots right away. Once we have those done, it’s time to have fun. That’s when the magic really happens—when the kids are running, laughing, playing or climbing into their parents' arms. These candid moments bring out the most natural smiles, not only from the little ones but from the adults too.

I’m not above making silly faces, dancing around behind the camera, or using my best animal impressions to get a laugh—whatever it takes to get everyone feeling relaxed and happy. After all, the more fun everyone is having, the more genuine and joyful the photos will be.

By the end of the session, the family had not only a gallery full of gorgeous photos, but also the memory of a fun, laughter-filled afternoon at their incredible vacation villa. From posed portraits to spontaneous giggles, the images reflect the love and connection that brought them all together.

If you're planning a multi-generational family trip to Isla Mujeres and want to preserve the beauty of your time together, I’d love to be a part of it. Whether it’s a luxury villa session like this one at Casa de la Playa or a casual beach day, capturing your family's story is an honor I don’t take lightly.

After all, vacations fade—but the photographs keep those memories alive forever.