Capturing the extended family photos of Linda Dagen was an absolute joy. Linda is a remarkable woman I know from church, whose journey through adversity has only deepened her authenticity and joy. She has an incredible ability to see and love people, radiating a warmth that draws everyone. 

During our photo session, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and love as I captured this special family. I felt honored to capture these moments of connection, where every smile reflected Linda’s contentment in the Father's love. We even managed to sneak in some beautiful senior shots of her granddaughter, highlighting the next generation of joy and resilience.

These images will serve as lasting memories of a family deeply rooted in love. It was a true privilege to document Linda’s legacy, showcasing not just her family, but the spirit of joy that she brings into the lives of those around her. Linda, as you said, these photos are your Christmas gift to yourself -- I hope they're treasures that last a lifetime!

The cousin crew. That's what we affectionally call our kids and their cousins when they're together. I could not help but think "cousin crew" was a great way to describe this fun-loving, giggly group of four cousins. Nana and Papa had decided it was time to get some updated photos of the extended family, so we found ourselves at Lake Rebecca Park in Hastings. One unexpected blessing? A local non-profit had a pop-up for getting kids into fishing and gave away free fishing poles and supplies. (Thanks, Grizzly Dan's Adventures!)

When the full extended family can all be together at the cabin for a graduation party, you have to take family photos, right? That is what the Jacobs family did! Normally, we take their pictures around the Cottage Grove area. This summer they invited me to their family cabin in Wisconsin at the end of July to help them capture them all together before the big celebration!

​In our fast-paced digital age, where fleeting moments are often captured and quickly discarded, there's something profoundly special about a well-timed extended family photo. These snapshots, though seemingly simple, hold a depth of meaning that transcends time, offering a unique way to connect with our past, present, and future.

It is always so important to preserve precious family moments! Recently, I had the pleasure of capturing the reunion of an extended family portraits at Highlands Park in Cottage Grove. The occasion was particularly special as it brought together relatives from out of town, including cousins who had been separated for several years. Highlands Park provided a perfect setting with its natural beauty, peaceful surroundings, and easily paved paths. As the photographer, I aimed to capture not just portraits, but the genuine emotions and relationships amidst this fun-loving family.

For the cousins who had moved away, they were back to what I imagined as their earlier childhood years with teasing and wrestling a bit, laughing and having fun. It made me realize just how fleeting my kids and their young cousins' years are, definitely glad they will get some good family and cousin time this summer to build those special memories and relationships!

Throughout the shoot, there was a lot of teasing and playful banter together, sharing stories and laughter as well as some silly posing ideas. Each click of the camera captured genuine smiles, tight embraces, and specialness of the relationships.

Hornes, Wasylishin, and Schmidtke families, thanks for the pleasure of documenting your extended family portraits at Highlands Park. It was a privilege! I pray that this chance to freeze these moments that will be treasured for years to come!