Sometimes You Just Make It Work
This family was only in town together for a few days.
With two out of three of their kids living far away, having the whole crew together was a big deal for Stefanie. So when we looked at schedules and the weather, we knew we couldn’t wait around for the “perfect” photography day.
We picked a 3:30 PM session at Denzil Stewart.
Rain or shine, we were making it happen.
And honestly?
It was stunning.
The Best Time for Family Photos Isn’t Always the “Perfect” Time
Photographers talk a lot about golden hour.
And yes, I absolutely love beautiful evening light.
But when you’re trying to coordinate a family that lives in different places, has work schedules, kids’ activities and limited time together, the perfect time on a photography chart isn’t always the perfect time for your family.
Sometimes the best time for family photos is simply the time when everyone can actually be there.
That’s what mattered for this family.
They had a tiny window with everyone together, so we worked with it.
And we got gorgeous light anyway.
The Sweetest Little Group of Cousins
One of my favorite parts of this session was the babies.
There were twins and a cousin born just days apart.
Three little babies, all basically the same age, growing up together.
These three are going to be the bestest friends.
I loved getting them together in the same photos because this is one of those little seasons that is going to feel completely different a few years from now.
Right now, they’re tiny.
Someday they’ll be running around together, making their parents crazy and probably refusing to sit still for a photo.
That’s exactly why I love documenting these stages.
When Your Whole Family Is Finally Together
There’s something different about photos when people have traveled to be together.
It isn’t just another family session.
It’s a record of a rare moment.
For the Ewer family, two of the three kids live far away. So having everyone in the same place for a few days was something Stefanie was absolutely soaking up.
These are the photos that let you remember not just what everyone looked like, but who was there.
The siblings.
The cousins.
The grandparents.
The babies.
The whole crew.
Even if everyone isn’t able to get together often, you can still document the times when they do.
Don’t Let the Schedule Keep You From Taking the Photos
If your family is coming into town for a wedding, holiday, vacation or a short visit, don’t automatically skip family photos because you can’t make a traditional evening session work.
Tell your photographer what your actual schedule looks like.
We can look at the options and figure out what makes sense.
Maybe that’s a morning session.
Maybe it’s the middle of the afternoon.
Maybe it’s right before everyone has to head somewhere else.
Maybe the weather isn’t ideal.
We’ll work with what we have.
Because having everyone together for a few days is worth documenting.
And sometimes the “less than perfect” conditions end up giving you something really beautiful.
Make the Most of the Time You Have
This session reminded me why I don’t think there is one perfect formula for family photography.
The right time is the time that works for your people.
The right location is the one that fits your family.
And the best photos aren’t necessarily the ones where everyone is standing perfectly still and smiling at the camera.
They’re the ones that show the people you love together.
For the Ewer family, that meant squeezing in photos while everyone was finally home, including three baby cousins who are just days apart.
I’m so glad we made it happen.
If your family is only going to be together for a short window, don’t wait for the perfect schedule. Reach out to me, Kylee, and let’s find a way to make family photos happen while everyone is together.
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 28, 2026
Kylee Maughan
