the bright family

Family photo sessions are more than just a chance to get everyone together for a picture; they’re an opportunity to capture a moment in time, celebrate family, and create lasting memories. This summer, I had the pleasure of working with the Bright family at Riley Ranch Nature Preserve in Bend, OR. With extended family in town visiting, they wanted to be sure that the moment everyone was together was documented in a thoughtful way. I’m so lucky they let me be the one with the camera!

We chose Riley Ranch for the picturesque mountain views and easily accessible walking path. Both Jim and his wife Christina are avid runners and utilize the preserve’s miles and miles of trails often, so they felt drawn to a place they knew well. We all knew that it would be the perfect spot for some gorgeous golden hour family photos.

For every family portrait session, I get all of the posed shots completed before we are too far into the session. But to truly capture a family’s dynamic, it’s so important to get a family interacting with one another to get those candid shots. Since the family doesn’t get together often (some were from as far away as Boston!) they were naturally excited to be together and engage in the process. The cousins were up for alllll the photos and got the grown ups laughing and joking. The littlest family member had to bring her new stuffed bird from the High Desert Museum, so “Polly” (as she’d been named) appeared in a lot of the poses and helped me get her laughing from behind the camera as well. From playful tickles to tender hugs, I encouraged them to engage with each other in their usual ways, and the connection and love is evident in their family photos.

Reflecting on this family photo session reminds me of why I’m passionate about capturing these special moments. It’s about more than just taking pictures; it’s about telling a story through images and creating memories that families will treasure for years to come. If you’re planning a family photo session, remember to choose a location that resonates with your family’s story, embrace natural interactions, and add personal touches to make the photos uniquely yours.

Here’s to capturing more beautiful family moments and cherishing the connections that make each family special!