Fifty years is a milestone worth celebrating—and even more worth remembering.
The Calloway family gathered at Bear Lake in Garden City, Utah, to celebrate 50 years together, and I loved getting to be part of such a meaningful family milestone. These are the sessions that remind me why I love what I do so much.
As a Bear Lake extended family photographer, getting to document families during the moments that matter most is one of my favorite parts of this job.
Celebrating 50 Years With the People You Love
An anniversary like this isn’t just about the couple who reached 50 years.
It’s about everything those 50 years created.
Children. Grandchildren. Traditions. Stories. Inside jokes. Holidays. Hard seasons. Happy seasons. And all of the people who now make up the family.
An extended family session is such a beautiful way to celebrate that entire story.
The Calloway family’s Bear Lake photos captured everyone together during a milestone they will remember for years to come.
Why Bear Lake Is Perfect for Extended Family Photos
Bear Lake is one of my favorite places for family photography, especially when a family is already gathering in Garden City for a vacation or celebration.
The beach creates a beautiful, relaxed setting for large family portraits, while the water and surrounding landscape add so much visual interest to the photographs.
I especially loved the Calloway family’s outfits and color palette. Their colors looked absolutely beautiful against the beach, creating a cohesive gallery without making everyone look overly matched.
That’s one of my favorite approaches for extended family photos: coordinate instead of perfectly matching.
What to Wear for Bear Lake Family Photos
The beach can be a little tricky when you’re choosing outfits for a large family, but the right color palette can make a huge difference.
For the Calloway family, the colors they chose complemented the natural tones of Bear Lake beautifully.
When planning your own extended family session, I recommend choosing a few colors that work well together rather than putting everyone in the exact same outfit.
Think about:
- Soft neutrals
- Earthy tones
- Muted blues and greens
- Warm complementary colors
The goal is for your family to look cohesive while everyone still feels like themselves.
Why These Photos Mean So Much to Me
I’ve always believed that family photography is about more than creating beautiful images.
It’s about being invited into someone’s life for a little while and being trusted to document something meaningful.
When a family chooses me to photograph an anniversary, reunion, vacation, or milestone, I don’t take that lightly.
The Calloway family’s 50-year celebration was such a special example of that.
I loved being able to capture these photographs for them, and it truly means the world to be included in moments like this.
Your Family’s Milestone Deserves to Be Documented
Maybe it’s 50 years.
Maybe it’s a family reunion at Bear Lake.
Maybe it’s the first vacation everyone has managed to coordinate in years.
Whatever brings your family together, it’s worth remembering.
As a Bear Lake extended family photographer, I love creating photographs that preserve those rare moments when everyone is together—especially when you’re celebrating something as meaningful as 50 years.
If your family is planning a reunion, anniversary celebration, or vacation in Garden City or around Bear Lake, I’d love to help you document it with beautiful, timeless family portraits.
Regie is a Preston photographer, wife, mom of two, and middle school teacher who has been photographing people for nearly a decade. She brings a calm, genuine approach to every session and loves making people feel comfortable and cared for.
She specializes in weddings, families, newborns, extended families, and senior portraits throughout Preston, Cache Valley, Logan, Franklin County, and Bear Lake. When she’s not behind the camera, you’ll find her hunting, planning, reading, or enjoying mountain adventures with her family.
September 14, 2026
Regie Carter
