Some of my favorite extended family sessions happen when everyone is already together for a vacation. Families have traveled from different states, grandparents have all of their children and grandchildren in one place, and there’s a rare opportunity to preserve memories that may not happen again for years.
The Maissen family’s Bear Lake extended family photos were exactly that kind of session. Their family gathered in beautiful Bear Lake after traveling from Montana, Washington, and Kansas to spend time together. We met at Garden City Park for a gorgeous sunset session, making the most of one of my favorite locations along the lake.
There’s something incredibly special about documenting an entire family during a week that’s already filled with connection, laughter, and shared memories.
Why I Recommend Bear Lake Extended Family Photos
Bear Lake has become one of my favorite destinations for family photography because it offers so much variety in one convenient location.
For the Maissen family’s session, we started on the charming boardwalk at Garden City Park. It’s a wonderful spot for photographing individual families and smaller groupings because it adds texture, character, and a little variety to the gallery.
Once we finished those portraits, we made our way down to the beach for the larger extended family combinations. The open shoreline gave us plenty of room for everyone while showcasing the beautiful blue water that makes Bear Lake so iconic.
That’s one of the reasons I love Bear Lake extended family photos. We can create multiple looks without spending the entire session driving between locations.
Sunset Is the Best Time for Family Photos at Bear Lake
If you’re planning family portraits at Bear Lake, I almost always recommend scheduling them close to sunset.
The evening light is soft, warm, and incredibly flattering. Instead of harsh overhead sunlight, families are surrounded by beautiful golden light that creates bright, timeless images.
Sunset also tends to bring cooler temperatures during the summer months, making the experience much more comfortable for young children and grandparents alike.
The light during the Maissen family’s session couldn’t have been more beautiful. It added a warm, relaxed feeling to every photograph while letting the natural beauty of Bear Lake shine.
Vacation Is the Perfect Time for Extended Family Portraits
One question I hear often is when families should schedule extended family photos.
My answer is almost always the same: when everyone is already together.
Coordinating schedules for multiple households can be difficult, especially when family members live in different states. Vacations naturally bring everyone together, making them the ideal opportunity to update family portraits.
Not only do you leave with wonderful vacation memories, but you also return home with professional photographs that capture everyone in one place.
Those images often become some of the most treasured photographs a family owns.
Making Large Family Sessions Feel Easy
Many people worry that extended family sessions will feel stressful because of the number of people involved.
The truth is, a little planning goes a long way.
I always begin with the full family while everyone’s together and engaged. From there, we move through grandparents with grandchildren, individual family units, sibling groups, cousins, and any additional combinations the family wants.
By choosing a location like Garden City Park, we can easily move between different backdrops without making the session feel rushed.
The result is a gallery that offers plenty of variety while keeping the experience relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
Creating Memories That Last Long After Vacation Ends
Photographing the Maissen family was such a wonderful reminder that some of the best family memories happen when loved ones travel from near and far simply to spend time together.
As a photographer serving Bear Lake, Garden City, Cache Valley, Preston, and surrounding Northern Utah and Southern Idaho communities, I love helping families preserve these once-in-a-lifetime gatherings.
If you’re planning a reunion or vacation and considering Bear Lake extended family photos, I’d love to help create a gallery that captures not only the beauty of the lake, but the people who make your family story so special.
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.
August 29, 2026
Regie Carter
