The Devore Family – A 39 Person Outer Banks Family Photography Session in Kill Devil Hills

One of my favorite parts of being an Outer Banks family photographer is seeing entire generations come together during their vacation. The Devore Family did exactly that, gathering 39 family members in Kill Devil Hills for an evening of beach portraits that celebrated several generations of their family.

At the center of the session were the grandparents, surrounded by their seven children and each of their families. Watching everyone come together for one photograph was a reminder of just how quickly families grow over the years.

Large family sessions always require a little extra planning, and this one came with a unique challenge. We had a few family members with limited mobility, but with a couple of short stools and a little creativity, we were able to arrange everyone comfortably while still creating a portrait that looked natural and balanced. Sometimes it's the small adjustments that make all the difference, and everyone worked together wonderfully to make it happen.

Once we finished the full family portrait, we photographed each individual family, the grandchildren, cousins, grandparents, and every combination they wanted to preserve. One of my favorite images from the evening was getting all of the grandchildren together. Their personalities came out immediately, and it was easy to see how much fun they have whenever they're all in the same place.

The soft evening light in Kill Devil Hills gave us beautiful conditions for the entire session. Their coordinated shades of greens, whites, and neutral colors blended perfectly with the sand dunes and sea oats, creating timeless portraits that keep the attention where it belongs... on family.

Photographing a group of thirty-nine people might sound intimidating, but sessions like these are some of the most rewarding. They preserve grandparents with their children, grandchildren, and great memories all in one place. Years from now, these photographs will only become more meaningful.

It was such a pleasure spending the evening with the Devore Family, and I'm grateful they trusted me to capture such an important gathering during their Outer Banks vacation.

If you're planning an Outer Banks family vacation and want to bring everyone together for updated portraits, I'd love to help. Whether your family includes four people or forty, we'll create photographs that tell your family's story while making the process relaxed and enjoyable.