There is something about a mountain meadow in the fall that makes everyone exhale. The grass turns gold, the aspens start to glow, and suddenly three generations of one family are laughing together like nobody is watching. That was the Thompson family’s extended family session up Big Cottonwood Canyon, and I loved every minute of it.

I have loved photographing the Thompsons over the years. They first hired me for their daughter’s wedding, and now she has two little kids of her own. Watching my brides and grooms become parents is one of the sweetest parts of my job. And when families keep coming back, I get to watch them grow.

Grandma and Grandpa were at the heart of it all, surrounded by their grown kids, their spouses, and a crew of grandkids who were not about to sit still. Honestly? That’s my favorite kind of session.

Three Generations, One Golden Evening

Extended family sessions can feel big and a little intimidating to plan. Here’s my secret: we start with the whole group while everyone is fresh and the little ones still have patience. Once that full family photo is done, everyone relaxes. Then we break into smaller groups. Grandparents with the grandkids. Each family on their own. The siblings together. Mom and Dad by themselves.

For the Thompsons, that meant a sweet moment of Grandpa holding the newest baby while a grandson grinned up at him. It meant a dad tossing his little boy into the air until they were both giggling. And it meant cousins sitting in the tall grass, totally in their own little world. Those in-between moments are the ones families tell me they love most.

What the Thompsons Wore

I get asked about outfits more than anything else, so here’s what worked so well. The family built their colors around navy, cream, and white, with a few soft florals mixed in. Grandma wore a deep navy floral dress that tied the whole group together. The grandkids wore cream and white with little pops of blue.

Navy and cream look rich against fall colors without fighting them. The golden grass and yellow aspens did the rest. If you’re planning fall family photos, pick two or three main colors and let one person, usually Mom or Grandma, wear the pattern. I share more ideas in my post on preparing for your fall family photo shoot in Utah, and in how to get the light and airy look for extended family photos.

Tips for Planning Fall Extended Family Photos in Utah

• Book early. Fall is the busiest season of my year, and the best weeks for color fill up fast.
• Plan for golden hour. We start about an hour and a half before sunset for that soft, warm light.
• Feed the littles first. A snack in the car before we start buys us a lot of happy faces.
• Plan on one hour. That’s plenty of time for the full group, each family, the grandkids, the siblings, and the grandparents.

Big families are my favorite puzzle to put together. You don’t have to worry about who stands where or how to get the toddler to smile. That’s my job. Your job is to show up, hug each other, and have fun.

Thank you, Thompson family, for trusting me with such a special evening. I hope these photos remind you how full and wonderful this season of life is.

If you are looking for a photographer for fall extended family photos in Utah, I would love to talk to you! Fill out my contact form and let me know more about what you want to plan!