Winston Salem, North Carolina


Why Extended Family Portraits Matter

— Especially During the Holidays


Annie Lievens Photography

 

As a family photographer in Winston-Salem, NC, I try to keep availability open during Thanksgiving week and the final stretch of the year — because it's one of the few times when everyone comes together. Year after year, I receive an influx of inquiries for extended family sessions during the holidays, and truthfully, these are some of my favorite sessions to photograph.


Think about it — when was the last time your entire family was professionally photographed? If you're like many families, it was probably at the last wedding. So much happens in the span of just a year: babies are born, children grow, new relationships blossom, and beloved grandparents get a little older. There is constant, beautiful change — and preserving these moments is a gift you’ll never regret giving your future self.


Extended family portraits aren’t just about capturing a large group. They’re about legacy. I carefully guide each session to include a mix of full group shots, smaller family units, cousins together, grandparent moments, and often quiet, emotional frames that become generational keepsakes. It’s more than just a photo — it’s a reflection of what your family looks like right now, in this unique season.


These sessions are especially meaningful because they often become one of the only opportunities to document everyone together — and to do it beautifully. The joy, the chaos, the connection — all of it belongs in a frame.


If your loved ones will be gathering in Winston-Salem or nearby this holiday season, I’d love to help you preserve the moment. Reach out early — these extended family session slots tend to fill quickly, and I want to make sure there's room for you on my calendar.

A parent wearing a navy blazer kisses a small child in a green vest outside a stone church.
A professionally dressed group stands on stone church steps in front of an ornate wooden door and vintage lantern.
Three people in formal attire pose together outdoors in front of greenery on a sunny autumn day.
Family sitting on outdoor steps with small child wearing green overalls and white dress shirt.
A family group stands together on stone steps in front of ornate wooden doors, wearing coordinated casual attire.
A person in a white sweater holds a small child wearing green outdoors on a sunny autumn day in front of a garden.
Multi-generational family portrait showing three adults and a small child in white and blue sweaters smiling together.
A grandparent couple wearing business casual attire stands outdoors on a sunny day with a small child.
A well-dressed man in a navy blazer holds a small child wearing a green sweater outdoors near a stone building.
Family group wearing coordinated navy and white outfits pose together outside ornate wrought iron church doors.
A person in a white sweater holds a smiling toddler wearing green and white on a sunny day outside a stone building.
A family dressed in business casual attire poses together outside a stone church building on a sunny day.
Family sits on church steps with decorative Christmas wreaths and red bows hanging on wooden doors behind them.
Three generations share a joyful moment together outdoors, wearing cozy winter whites and emerald green.
A group of people dressed in business casual attire stand together on stone steps in front of an ornate iron door.
A young family dressed in blue and white shares an intimate outdoor moment together in natural sunlight.
Couple in winter attire standing in front of ornate iron church doors decorated with holiday wreaths and red bows.
Decorative wooden double doors with ornate iron hardware and two Christmas wreaths adorned with red bows.
Multigenerational group poses together on front steps by ornate iron door with seasonal wreath decoration.
A couple stands together on a sunny lawn in front of a stone church with classic architecture.
A couple shares a loving moment on a sunny day outside a stone building with green ivy.
Senior couple sharing a loving moment outdoors, wearing a navy blazer and light sweater on a sunny day.
A family poses together on a sunny autumn day wearing coordinated outfits in navy and white.
A romantic couple shares an intimate moment in soft sunlight while wearing coordinated formal attire.

 

Thank you for spending time here!

Annie Lievens Photography is a fine art portrait photographer based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving Forsyth County and the surrounding areas of North Carolina. I specialize in timeless, heirloom-quality images that celebrate motherhood, family, and life’s most meaningful moments. From maternity and newborn sessions to milestone and family portraits, I offer a calm, guided experience designed to be as stress-free as possible. If you're looking for a Winston-Salem photographer who blends soft, natural light with intentional storytelling, I would be honored to serve you and your family.