This is what extended family photos are supposed to feel like.

Picture this: the whole crew is finally together. Grandma and Grandpa are here. The cousins are already chasing each other down the sand. Someone’s toddler is attempting to eat a handful of beach. Your sister is laughing so hard she can barely stand up straight. And behind all of it, the Long Island sky is turning every shade of orange, pink, and gold as the sun sinks into the horizon.

Not stiff. Not staged. Not seventeen people standing in a row trying to hold their smiles for thirty seconds while someone counts to three. Real. Warm. A little chaotic. Completely, unmistakably yours.

If you’re thinking about booking an extended family photographer on Long Island for a sunset beach session — this guide is for you. We’re covering everything: why sunset is the magic hour, which Long Island beaches photograph best, how to wrangle a large group without losing your mind, what to wear, and how to walk away with images your whole family will genuinely treasure.

We photographers call it golden hour for a reason. In the last 60 minutes before the sun sets, the light on Long Island’s beaches becomes something almost otherworldly. It’s warm, soft, and directional in a way that flatters every single face in the frame, from a six month old to an eighty year old grandparent.

No squinting into harsh midday sun. No unflattering shadows under the eyes. No one overheating in a buttondown shirt. Just gorgeous, cinematic light that makes every photo look like it was taken on purpose, because it was.

For extended family photos specifically, sunset sessions have an added advantage: the low angle of light means I can work with the whole group without fighting the sun. Positioning a large group is tricky enough without battling overhead glare. Golden hour makes the whole thing easier and more beautiful.

And then there’s the sky itself. Long Island beach sunsets are genuinely spectacular. That backdrop doesn’t hurt.

Long Island is blessed with an extraordinary stretch of coastline, over 1,000 miles of it, which means you have options. Here are some of the top locations for extended family photos at sunset:

Sunken Meadow State Park

One of the most popular spots for family photography on Long Island, and for good reason. The wide, flat beach, the gentle bluff areas, the soft dune grass, and the Long Island Sound backdrop make it incredibly versatile. West-facing enough to catch a beautiful sunset glow. Great for large groups because there’s simply a lot of room to work with.

Robert Moses State Park

A barrier island beach with the open Atlantic Ocean behind you and spectacular light. Robert Moses offers a wilder, more dramatic beach feel — bigger waves, more expansive sky, and a sense of real coastal energy. The drive across the causeway makes it feel like an event. Perfect for families who want something with a little more wow factor. As a bonus, we can include the iconic Fire Island Light House.

Caumsett State Historic Park

For extended family photos with a more serene, private feel, Caumsett is extraordinary. The rocky shoreline, the wooded bluffs, and the dramatic Long Island Sound views give your photos a completely different character — more editorial, more timeless. Less crowded than the big state parks. This is the hidden gem.

Long Beach

The classic Long Island barrier island beach. It’s wide, flat, and wide open. Great location to easily go out for dinner as a group after the photos.

Montauk & The Hamptons

For families staying out east or willing to make the trip, Montauk and the East End beaches offer some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in New York. The combination of Atlantic Ocean surf, dramatic bluffs, and the relaxed east-end atmosphere creates extended family photos that feel cinematic and completely unique.

Let’s be honest about something: coordinating extended family photos is a logistical undertaking. You’re working with multiple generations, different schedules, kids who have opinions about everything, and at least one family member who will show up late regardless of what time you tell them. We’ve all been there.

Here’s what actually helps:

Appoint One Point Person

Do not send the photographer’s information to fifteen different family members and hope it works out. Choose one person, ideally the one who actually organized the session, to be the single point of contact. They communicate with the photographer, relay information to the family, and handle the inevitable last minute questions. This alone saves enormous amounts of chaos.

Tell Everyone to Arrive Early

Tell the family the session starts 20 minutes before it actually does. This is not deception, this is survival. Someone will be late. With a 20-minute buffer, that person is now on time, and you’re not losing precious golden hour light waiting for them in the parking lot.

Bring Snacks for the Little Ones

If there are young children in your extended family, come prepared. Snacks, a favorite small toy, or a beloved stuffed animal can be the difference between a toddler who cooperates for five more minutes and a full meltdown.

Let Go of Perfect

The most important mindset shift you can make going into a large extended family photo session: let go of the idea that every single person needs to be looking at the camera, smiling perfectly, in every single shot. The best extended family photos are alive. Someone is whispering something to grandma. The cousins are sneaking a look at each other. Dad is laughing at something only he heard. These moments are the ones you’ll love most in twenty years.

This session is a great example of how letting the kids be themselves and simply enjoying the time together will natural make heartfelt images that reflect your big family. And check out this extended family session for more inspiration.

Reach out here to book your extended family session. I will help you pick your beach and coordinate your outfits. Then you show up ready to have fun.