There is something incredibly meaningful about getting everyone together for extended family photos — grandparents, siblings, cousins, and generations all in one place. This beautiful session in Salt Lake City took place in May, right when the rolling hills were covered in fresh green grass and soft yellow wildflowers, creating the most dreamy spring backdrop.
Northern Utah offers so many mountain and foothill locations, but the gentle hills in Salt Lake during late spring and early summer have a unique kind of beauty. The scenery feels open, peaceful, and full of life, which pairs perfectly with the connection and energy that comes with large family gatherings.
Why Spring is Perfect for Extended Family Photos in Utah
Spring in Utah is often overlooked compared to fall, but it can actually be one of the most beautiful seasons for family photography. In May and early summer, the foothills around Salt Lake City come alive with green landscapes, scattered wildflowers, and soft golden light that feels warm without being harsh.
The rolling hills create natural depth and texture in images, while the fresh colors bring a vibrant but still timeless feel. The yellow wildflowers during this session added such a joyful, seasonal touch without overpowering the people in the photos, which is always the goal in family photography.
Because temperatures are typically mild, spring sessions are also comfortable for grandparents, young children, and larger groups who may be sensitive to summer heat.
The Beauty of Rolling Hills for Large Family Sessions
One of the reasons I love photographing extended families in the Salt Lake foothills is the sense of space. Large groups need room to move, adjust, and interact naturally, and open hillsides provide that flexibility while still offering beautiful scenery in every direction.
The soft slopes allow for natural posing arrangements, with families layered in a way that feels organic instead of stiff. The variety within the same area makes it easy to capture the full extended family, individual family units, sibling groups, cousins, and candid interaction moments without needing to change locations.
The scenery during this session included green hills, yellow wildflowers, mountain views, open sky, and glowing sunset light, which created a gallery that felt both vibrant and timeless.
Why Extended Family Photos Matter So Much
Extended family sessions often happen during rare moments when everyone is together, whether that’s for a reunion, a milestone celebration, a holiday visit, or simply because time finally allowed it. These sessions preserve relationships that change quickly over the years as children grow, families expand, and generations shift.
Photographs of grandparents with grandchildren, siblings laughing together, cousins playing in the grass, and entire family groups gathered in one frame become some of the most meaningful images families own. They are more than portraits — they are part of your family history.
A May Extended Family Session in Salt Lake City
This particular session was filled with so much warmth and connection. The cousins brought playful energy, the grandparents were surrounded by their family, and the golden evening light added a soft glow across the hills.
We captured a combination of classic portraits and relaxed interaction, allowing both posed and candid moments to exist together naturally. One of my favorite parts of extended family sessions is watching personalities unfold — the quiet hugs, the laughter between siblings, the way grandparents look at their grandchildren. Those moments are always just as important as the smiling-at-the-camera images.
The yellow wildflowers blooming across the hillside made the entire session feel uniquely seasonal and joyful, something that simply can’t be replicated at another time of year.
Planning Your Extended Family Session in Salt Lake City
The foothills around Salt Lake City photograph beautifully from early spring through summer, when the hills are green, the temperatures are comfortable, and sunset light stretches across the landscape in the most flattering way.
If you’re considering extended family photos in Salt Lake City or surrounding areas, choosing a season when the environment feels alive and colorful can add so much depth and emotion to your images.
Extended family sessions do require planning, but they are always worth the effort. Years from now, these are the photographs that hold memories of togetherness, connection, and the people who matter most.
Booking an Extended Family Photographer in Utah
If you’re planning a reunion, celebrating a milestone, or simply want updated photos with everyone together, extended family sessions in Salt Lake City offer a beautiful and meaningful way to preserve this season of life.
Spring and early summer dates tend to book quickly because of the green hills and wildflowers, so planning ahead is always recommended.
