I always love seeing families come back for updated photos, especially when so much has changed since the last time I photographed them.

This sweet family has been in front of my camera for a long time, so getting to see them again in Emigration Canyon was extra special. This time, their missionary was home, which meant it was the perfect opportunity to get everyone together for updated family photos.

And while we were catching up, I got to hear some even more exciting news: their family is growing again!

When Your Family Changes, Update the Photos

One of my favorite reasons to photograph returning families is seeing how much can change between sessions.

Kids get taller. Personalities change. Families grow. Sometimes someone moves away for a season and comes home again.

Those changes are exactly why I think updated family photos are worth doing.

This session wasn’t about recreating their last family photos. It was about documenting who they are right now.

Their missionary was home, everyone was together, and they were getting ready to welcome another baby into the family.

That’s a pretty good reason to update the family photo on the wall.

Photographing a Missionary Homecoming Season

Having a missionary return home is such a unique family milestone.

You spend months with an empty spot at the dinner table and then suddenly everyone is together again.

Of course, your family photos don’t have to be specifically about a missionary homecoming. But when your family has been separated for a significant amount of time, I love the idea of documenting that reunion.

These photos capture more than what everyone looked like that day.

They capture the fact that everyone was finally together again.

And Then There Was a New Baby to Celebrate

As if having their missionary home wasn’t exciting enough, this family also has a new baby coming!

I loved hearing about the new addition while we were taking photos.

It made this session feel like a little snapshot between two chapters: their family together again after a season apart and their family preparing to grow once more.

Those in-between seasons can be some of my favorites to photograph.

You know things are about to change, but you still want to remember exactly what life looked like before they did.

Family Photos in Emigration Canyon

Emigration Canyon was a beautiful setting for this family session.

I love locations like this because the scenery can add something special to the photos without taking attention away from the family.

But ultimately, the people are what make a family session meaningful.

For returning clients especially, I love letting the session reflect who they are rather than forcing them into a particular style of posing.

We can get the classic family portrait, but I also want the laughter, the hugs, the little interactions, and the moments that feel like your actual family.

Your Family Won’t Look Like This Forever

This is probably the biggest reason I love photographing families.

They keep changing.

The little kids won’t always be little. The missionary won’t always be the one coming home. And eventually, the new baby who is currently just exciting news will be running around with everyone else.

You don’t need a huge milestone to justify getting in front of the camera.

Sometimes the reason is simply that your family looks different than it did the last time.

If your family has grown, changed, or simply been too long without an updated family photo, let’s fix that. Reach out to book a family session with me in Emigration Canyon or another Northern Utah location that feels like your family.

I’ll help you plan a relaxed session that documents the people you love exactly as they are in this season.

Regie Carter

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.

kyleeannphotography.com/regie