The Glynn Family | A Candid Extended Family Session at Point Chautauqua

Families

When Hannah reached out about photographing her extended family, she had one request: keep it candid, keep it fun, and just let the kids play. Honestly? Those are my favorite words to hear from a client. Give me a big group of cousins, siblings, grandparents, and littles by the water, and I will happily hand the day over to the giggles.

If you’re considering an extended family session at Point Chautauqua or you’re just looking for a photographer who leans into real, unposed moments over stiff smiles, this session is exactly what that looks like.

Starting Simple, Then Letting Go

We started the evening the way every big family session should — with a few classic full-group portraits under the giant willow tree overlooking the lake. That willow ended up being the perfect backdrop all evening, its long branches swaying just enough to frame every photo with a little movement and softness.

But once we had those shots in the bag, the real fun began. I let the kids run, tumble, and play exactly like Hannah asked, and that’s when this session came alive. Piggyback rides, kids dangling upside down mid-laugh, a cartwheel down by the water — this family did not hold back, and I loved every second of documenting it.

Golden Hour on the Water

Point Chautauqua gave us the most beautiful golden light of the evening, glowing off Chautauqua Lake and lighting up all those beautiful yellow flowers planted along the shoreline.

A Surprise Visitor

Partway through the session, the Chautauqua Belle came steaming by right along the shoreline, and the whole family dropped what they were doing to run down to the dock and wave at the passengers. It was completely unplanned and became one of my favorite moments of the whole evening — genuine, spontaneous, and so very “Chautauqua summer.”

Sweet, Quiet Moments Too

In between all the chaos and laughter, there were these beautiful quiet moments too — Hannah nuzzling her baby girl’s cheek, a big brother gently teasing his little sister, grandparents wrapped up in the middle of it all. That’s the thing about letting a family just be a family in front of the camera: you get the big joyful chaos and the tender, quiet love, all in the same hour.

Final Thoughts

Hannah wanted candid and fun, and that is exactly what we got — an extended family session full of real laughter, real play, and a few unexpected gifts (thank you, Chautauqua Belle) along the way. This is why I love photographing families on Chautauqua Lake: it gives everyone room to just be themselves, and that’s when the best photos happen.

If you’re dreaming of a relaxed, playful, candid family session on Chautauqua Lake, I’d love it if you contacted me.