There’s something extra special about getting to capture the people you love, and this session was one that meant a little more to me personally–I had the honor of photographing my own family at Tippecanoe River State Park, bringing together my aunt and uncle, their kids, and the next generation of little ones.

It all started with two people who fell in love. Then came two kids, who grew up, and brought along two more people to love. And now? Five grandkids later, look at the beautiful family they’ve built.There’s something so special about seeing every generation come together in one place, and getting to capture this for my own family made it that much sweeter.

Getting everyone together for family photos is no small feat, but there is something so meaningful about having everyone in one place, even if just for an afternoon. We spent our time capturing everything from the big group portraits to smaller family groupings and all of the sweet in-between moments that make a session feel like your family.

And the Tippecanoe River State Park provided such a beautiful natural backdrop for our time together, with its wooded scenery and familiar Northern Indiana charm. It was the perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon spent together.

As a photographer, I spend so much of my time documenting other people’s milestones, growing families, weddings, and everyday seasons of life. Getting to step behind the camera and preserve those same memories for my own family was such a special reminder of why I love what I do. One of my favorite things about family photography is knowing that the photos we take today will mean even more years from now. The little ones will grow, families will change, and these everyday moments will eventually become pieces of family history. Being able to preserve that for the people I love is something I will never take for granted.