Bear Lake is one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in our area, and every year I photograph quite a few extended families who gather there for reunions and family trips. A Bear Lake extended family session is such a fun way to document those memories while everyone is together.

This particular session took place right along the beach at Bear Lake. We met early in the morning for a sunrise family photo session, which is something I don’t do very often. It was a little different for me—but honestly, it ended up being a really fun experience.

Sunrise at Bear Lake is beautiful. The lake is calm, the beach is quiet, and families basically get the shoreline to themselves. We photographed this session on a more private part of the beach, which made it feel relaxed and easy for everyone to spread out and enjoy the moment together.

The sun came up bright and quickly that morning—maybe a little too bright for perfect light—but we still had a great time and captured so many sweet moments. In hindsight, we probably could have started a little earlier to catch more of that soft sunrise glow. But when sunrise is already around 6:00 a.m. in the summer, starting even earlier can be a tough sell for families on vacation!

This family was wonderful to work with. They had grown kids together, and the cutest little granddaughter who definitely stole the show. It was so fun watching everyone interact and laugh together—it really felt like they were soaking up every minute of their Bear Lake family vacation.

Extended family sessions like this are some of my favorites because they capture something really special: multiple generations together in one place. When families gather for vacations at Bear Lake, it’s the perfect opportunity to take updated photos of everyone together.

If you’re planning a Bear Lake family reunion or summer vacation and want to schedule a Bear Lake family photo session, sunrise on the beach is definitely a unique option worth considering. It may require an early wake-up call, but the quiet lake and beautiful morning light make it a memorable experience.

And the photos? Totally worth it.