There is something SO dreamy about autumn family photos at Emigrant Lake, especially when the sunset shows off like it did for this session! And this year, we decided to switch things up a bit by combining two families into one big session. You guys, it was SUCH a blast!

I adore getting to photograph this family year after year, so having everyone together for an evening of exploring, playing, and capturing memories was extra special. We wandered around Emigrant Lake as the sun started to set, and the autumn colors were absolutely gorgeous. The warm tones of the landscape paired with that golden evening light? Perfection!

And can we talk about these outfits for a minute?! Bridgette puts SO much thought and effort into coordinating everyone’s outfits every year, and it really shows. The beautiful cream colors looked incredible against the autumn landscape and gave the whole gallery such a soft, dreamy feel. I’m always a fan of outfits that complement the scenery without competing with it, and this crew absolutely nailed it!

Of course, we had to make sure everyone brought their pups along, too. Each family had a dog joining the fun, which added even more personality to the session. The pups followed everyone around as the kids explored, collected little rocks and treasures, and climbed around on the rocky shoreline. It was the perfect mix of sweet family moments and the wonderfully chaotic fun that comes with getting everyone together. And honestly, some of the best moments happen when we let the kids do their thing.

One of my favorite parts of combining families for a session is getting all those different groupings. We photographed each family together, captured the cousins, and made sure to get plenty of combinations with everyone. The cousin photos were especially adorable! I love giving families a gallery filled with variety, so they have those big group memories alongside the smaller, more personal connections between everyone.

Emigrant Lake is such a beautiful location for autumn family photography near Ashland and Medford, Oregon. Between the open water views, rocky shoreline, seasonal colors, and gorgeous sunset light, there’s so much variety to work with. It’s especially fun for families with kids and dogs because there’s room to wander, explore, and let everyone settle into the experience.

This session was such a good reminder of why I love photographing families year after year. Getting to watch the kids grow, see how their personalities change, and document the relationships that mean the most to them is something I never take for granted.

I absolutely adore this family and feel SO lucky that they continue to trust me with their memories. They are truly the sweetest, and getting to spend an evening with all of them was such a treat!

Thank you, guys, for another wonderful session and for letting me keep documenting these little chapters of your lives. Here’s to more beautiful sunsets, growing kids, happy pups, and lots more family memories together! 🤍