Carlee's Extended Family Session | Pensacola Beach Family Photographer
June has been an exciting month for my family and me. After my son's graduation from the University of West Florida, my mother and I packed our bags and took the kids on an unforgettable trip to Europe. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to experience the places where our family's roots began in Germany. Between train rides, sightseeing, family visits, and learning about their heritage, the trip was both exciting and, at times, a little hectic. Looking back, however, I wouldn't change a thing.
Of course, returning home meant dealing with a healthy dose of jet lag. It seemed like it took nearly a week for my internal clock to adjust back to Florida time. Even so, I was excited to get back behind the camera and reconnect with the families who had trusted me to capture their memories while I was away.
One of my first sessions back was with Carlee and her beautiful extended family at Pensacola Beach on June 10, 2026. Family vacations are often one of the few times when multiple generations can gather in one place, making them the perfect opportunity for family portraits. As a Pensacola Beach family photographer, I always encourage families to take advantage of these moments because the years seem to pass far too quickly.
Carlee and Ben hired me to photograph their family during their vacation on the Gulf Coast. Joining them were their two children, Joey and little Charlee, who was only seven months old at the time of our session. To make the occasion even more special, Carlee's mother and her brother's family also traveled to Pensacola to spend time together and participate in the photo session. In total, we had six adults and four children, creating the perfect extended family gathering.
We met on the eastern side of Pensacola Beach, where the soft white sand, sea oats, and emerald-green water provided a beautiful backdrop. It had been nearly six weeks since my last beach session, and I was surprised by how much had changed during my time away. The beach was much busier than I remembered, and there was an incredible amount of seaweed washed ashore. It seemed to be everywhere! While it certainly wasn't my favorite thing to edit later, there was simply no avoiding it. Thankfully, the beauty of the family and the stunning Gulf Coast scenery easily stole the show.
One of the things I loved most about this session was that we weren't rushed. We spent nearly two hours together, taking our time and creating a wide variety of family combinations. We moved between different areas of the beach, capturing everything from large family groupings to grandparents with grandchildren, individual family portraits, sibling photographs, and candid moments in between.
The extra time allowed everyone to relax and simply enjoy being together. There was plenty of laughter, lots of hugs, and countless sweet interactions that reminded me why I love photographing extended families. These are the moments that become treasured memories years from now.
The evening light was beautiful, the children were wonderful, and despite the seaweed and crowds, we created a gallery filled with genuine smiles and meaningful family connections. By the end of the session, I knew we had captured something special.
I am so grateful to Carlee, Ben, and their entire family for trusting me to document this special season in their lives. It was the perfect way to return to work after an incredible family adventure abroad, and I hope these photographs will be cherished for generations to come.
If you're planning a family vacation to Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Gulf Breeze, or anywhere along Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, I'd love to help you preserve those memories with a family photography session of your own.
