The Lemmons and Flowers family reunion was one of those days that remind you just how special it is to gather together. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Grand Lake at Shadow Mountain National Recreation Area in Colorado, the day was filled with laughter, sunshine, and the joyful energy that comes with a big family coming together.
With bright blue skies overhead and the wide-open water of the lake stretching out behind them, the setting couldn’t have been more perfect. Kids ran around exploring, family members caught up with one another, and there was a constant buzz of excitement in the air. It felt like the kind of day where everyone could simply relax, enjoy the moment, and soak in time together.
Midday sunshine can be a tricky lighting situation for photographers, but it also creates beautiful opportunities when you work with it intentionally. I spent time finding angles where the light could wrap naturally around the family while keeping everyone comfortable and relaxed. The bright Colorado sun, mixed with the lake and mountain backdrop, created such vibrant and joyful images that perfectly matched the energy of the day.
One moment that made me laugh was realizing just how tall many of the men in the family were; several of them were around 6'3" or taller! Thankfully, I had remembered to bring my step stool, which gave me the little bit of extra height I needed to frame the group photos just right. I now keep this stool in my car at all times for moments like these.
"Vanessa was so amazing at our family reunion photo shoot! Wrangling the littles for some amazing candid and posed shots is no easy task, but she did it with such ease and calm. She is such a joyous person to work with, to boot! 10/10 would absolutely recommend!" - Carly L.
Photographing a family reunion like this is always such a gift. There’s something really special about capturing multiple generations in one place, the hugs, the laughter, and the candid moments in between posed photos. Those are the moments that families look back on years later and remember most.
