There is something really special about an extended family that genuinely enjoys being together. This Bear Lake extended family session at The Reserve in Garden City was exactly that.
This family was SO sweet from the moment we started. Their entire family lives in the same town, but they still make it a priority to come to Bear Lake together. I love that. Life gets busy, even when your family lives close by, so choosing to spend vacation time together feels like something worth documenting.
This trip was even more special because one of the sisters was celebrating her birthday. She was so happy to be surrounded by her family, and that happiness came through in the photos.
Why Bear Lake Is Such a Great Place for Extended Family Photos
Bear Lake gives extended families so many options for photos without needing to make the session feel complicated.
For this family, we were staying right on the property they had rented at The Reserve in Garden City. That meant we could take advantage of the space they were already enjoying for their family vacation.
We started with everyone together among the trees before making our way down toward the beach. Having two different settings gave the gallery plenty of variety without needing to pack everyone into the car and drive to another location.
And then we got to the lake.
The Wind Finally Calmed Down
The wind had been blowing ALL day.
But somehow, it stopped just in time for their family photos.
The timing could not have been better.
Once we got down to the beach, the surface of Bear Lake was so calm that it almost looked like the Salt Flats. It created this incredible, wide-open backdrop for the end of their session.
Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate exactly how you expect it to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t end up with something beautiful. In this case, the calm lake made the beach portion of their session one of my favorite parts.
Documenting the People You Keep Coming Back To
Extended family photography isn’t only about getting one photo where everyone is looking at the camera.
It is about documenting the people who keep choosing each other.
This family already had a tradition of coming to Bear Lake together. They didn’t need a special reason to spend time together, but this particular trip happened to include a birthday, a family vacation, and another opportunity to be together.
Those are the moments I want to remember.
The big group photo matters, but so do the little interactions, the laughing, the kids running around, and the way everyone naturally falls together when they’re comfortable with each other.
Planning Your Own Extended Family Session at Bear Lake
If you’re bringing your extended family to Bear Lake, you don’t need to find the most complicated or elaborate location for your photos.
A private rental property can actually be an amazing option. You already have everyone together, you have space to spread out, and you can often get a combination of trees, open space, and beach without traveling far.
I also recommend giving yourself enough time for everyone to settle in. With a large group, there will always be a few moving pieces. The goal isn’t to make everyone perfectly still. It’s to create space for your family to actually enjoy being together while I document it.
And if you’re celebrating something during your trip—like a birthday—tell me. Those little details make the session even more personal.
Let’s Plan Your Bear Lake Family Photos
If your family keeps coming back to Bear Lake year after year, don’t let another family vacation pass without documenting the people who make it special.
I photograph extended families in Bear Lake and love creating relaxed, beautiful galleries that show both the whole family and the relationships within it.
If you’re planning a Bear Lake family trip, reach out to Kylee Ann Studios and let’s get your family photos on the calendar before your next vacation.
Kylee is the owner and founder of Kylee Ann Studios, where she’s spent more than 15 years building a photography business rooted in creativity, connection, and serving her clients well. She’s a mom, business owner, and photographer who loves making people feel comfortable and capturing the real moments that make their stories unique.
She specializes in commercial and brand photography, family photography, weddings, and more throughout Cache Valley and Northern Utah.
October 11, 2026
Kylee Maughan
