Summer Extended Family Session at Elizabeth Park | CT Family Photographer

Family

Summer Extended Family Session at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Family Photographer

It’s always such an honor to photograph families celebrating milestones — and this summer extended family session at Elizabeth Park was one of my favorites yet.

This sweet family reached out to me almost a year in advance to plan their session, and for good reason! They were celebrating the grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary and wanted to capture this special moment when everyone would be in town together. Coordinating an extended family session with multiple households can be tricky, but this crew was organized, kind, and full of joy — even when the summer weather tried to test us!

Planning a Multi-Generation Family Session

When it comes to extended family portraits, planning ahead is everything. Between busy schedules, travel plans, and wardrobe coordination, early communication makes the process so much smoother.

This mom did such a great job pulling everyone together, even though some family members were traveling from out of town. During her in-studio dress consultation, she brought her sister-in-law in via Skype so we could coordinate outfits for everyone at once. Together, we built a color palette that looked stunning against the blooming summer gardens at Elizabeth Park — soft neutrals with pops of blue and blush.

The result? A wardrobe that felt cohesive but not too matchy — perfectly suited to the elegant, natural backdrop of one of Connecticut’s most beautiful parks.

If you’ve ever worried that coordinating outfits for an extended family session would be stressful, this is proof that it doesn’t have to be! My Client Closet and styling guidance make it easy, even when multiple households are involved.

Summer Extended Family Session at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Family Photographer

A Hot (But Joyful!) Summer Evening

When the day of their session arrived, we were in the middle of a major summer heat wave. The humidity made it feel well over 100 degrees! But you’d never know it from looking at their photos — everyone looked radiant, relaxed, and full of joy.

This family came so prepared. They brought plenty of water, handheld fans, and positive attitudes. We built in quick breaks to sit in the air-conditioned cars between locations, and those little pauses made all the difference.

Despite the sweltering temperatures, the gardens at Elizabeth Park were glowing with color, and the golden light at sunset gave us the most beautiful, painterly images. The laughter, the smiles, and the genuine connection among this family completely outshined the heat.

Summer Extended Family Session at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Family Photographer

Why Elizabeth Park Is Perfect for Extended Family Portraits

Elizabeth Park in West Hartford is one of my favorite locations for sessions — especially for large families. The variety of scenery means we can capture multiple looks in one spot without a lot of walking.

For this summer extended family session at Elizabeth Park, we started in the gardens surrounded by lush flowers and greenery, then moved to a quieter area for more intimate shots of the grandparents and their grandchildren. The stone pathways, blooming roses, and golden light all worked together to create a timeless setting that perfectly complemented this family’s style.

What makes Elizabeth Park so ideal for extended sessions is that it feels private and peaceful while still being accessible for all ages. From toddlers to grandparents, everyone can relax, move comfortably, and enjoy the moment — which is exactly what we want for family portraits.

Summer Extended Family Session at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Family Photographer

Capturing the Heart of a Family

The beauty of extended family sessions is that they tell a story — not just of one family unit, but of generations of love and connection.

During this session, we photographed the entire group together, each family individually, the cousins laughing, the grandparents with their children, and of course, the couple who started it all — celebrating 50 incredible years of marriage.

There was such a strong sense of love and appreciation between everyone. You could feel how meaningful this evening was for the grandparents, watching their grown children and grandchildren all together in one place. These are the kinds of moments that make extended family portraits so priceless — they become heirlooms for years to come.

Summer Extended Family Session at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Family Photographer

What This Family Had to Say

After their session, this mom shared the sweetest review that perfectly summed up their experience:

“We had the absolute best experience with Sharon for our extended family portraits! Despite the 90-degree heat, she somehow made everyone feel completely comfortable and at ease. The photos turned out absolutely stunning – better than we could have imagined!

One of my favorite parts of working with Sharon was having access to her Client Closet. She has so many gorgeous options to choose from, which made getting ready so much easier and stress-free. Sharon was wonderful with our entire group, but what truly stood out was how beautifully she worked with the kids of all ages. She was patient, fun, and knew exactly how to bring out their best smiles. It’s not easy to capture little ones in family photos, but Sharon made it look effortless.

I honestly can’t say enough good things about her. If you’re looking for someone who is not only incredibly talented but also kind, professional, and a joy to work with, Sharon is it! We are so grateful for the memories she captured for our family.”

Reading reviews like this means so much. It’s not just because they’re kind, but because they show how much heart goes into these sessions. My goal is always to make your experience easy, enjoyable, and meaningful. It doesn’t matter how big your group is or how hot the summer day!

Tips for Planning Your Own Extended Family Session

Thinking about booking your own extended family portraits? Here are a few quick tips to make it smooth and fun:

✨ Plan early. The earlier you book, the easier everything is to coordinate. For example, it is to coordinate travel, outfits, and schedules.

✨ Trust your photographer. I’ll help guide you through everything, from styling to posing to pacing the session so everyone stays comfortable.

✨ Stay flexible. With little ones (and grandparents!) in the mix, breaks and snacks are your best friend.

✨ Focus on connection, not perfection. The best images are full of laughter and love. Those moments happen naturally when you relax and enjoy being together.

Why Extended Family Sessions Are Worth It

Extended family portraits are truly something special. They’re about celebrating relationships that span generations. A summer extended family session at Elizabeth Park gives you the perfect setting to document those connections beautifully. With its vibrant gardens, soft evening light, and variety of backdrops, it’s an ideal location for timeless portraits that you’ll cherish for decades.

Ready to Plan Your Own Extended Family Session?

Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, a reunion, or just the gift of togetherness, I’d love to help you capture it.

When you book with me, you’ll get:
✨ A guided wardrobe consultation (in-person or virtual)
✨ Access to my full Client Closet for easy outfit coordination
✨ A fun, relaxed experience for families of all ages
✨ A stunning gallery full of joy, connection, and natural beauty👉 Contact me today to reserve your date for a summer extended family session at Elizabeth Park. Let’s create heirloom portraits that celebrate your family’s story — together.

Choosing Sharon as Your Canton CT Family Photographer

Why do you want Sharon Leger Photography as your Canton CT family photographer? First, you will be fully prepared for your session. This preparation includes detailed emails and videos before your session, in addition to a prep guide and questionnaire. Second, your session is thoughtfully strategized so that you get way more images than you ever thought possible. And finally, as a former elementary school teacher, Sharon is skilled at engaging and connecting with clients of all ages. Shy toddler? No problem! Cranky husband? I got you, mama! 

To learn more about Sharon Leger Photography, explore the website or follow Sharon on Instagram or Facebook. Please send inquiries through the website only. Please note that the website includes all relevant pricing and booking information.

If you are interested in booking Sharon Leger Photography as your Canton CT family photographer, please know that most spots book about six months out. Reach out today for current availability!

"I am so happy to have had Sharon capture photos of my family. She was so easy to work with, from scheduling to planning and coordinating, she could not have made the process more simple. She showed up on the day-of super prepared, with a whole wagon full of stuff just in case, including snacks for my kids! 

Kim

4 / 15

She worked so well with my children: she truly understands that children are going to get bored fast and she worked around their moods perfectly.

I love that she captured my kids' candid smiles, and not just the posed ones. To top it off, the final product was beyond my expectations and delivered in under a week! You can tell that she loves what she's doing and it shows in her work. She is truly a gem and I can't wait to work with her again as my children grow up!"

"We loved how simple and stress-free our son’s cake smash session was—we didn't need to worry about props or set-up. 

Alexis

When we showed up, Sharon had everything ready for us and we got to just be present in the moment. 

The portraits captured all the sweet little details we want to remember from his first birthday, and we were so happy to share them with our family. It was the perfect way to celebrate this milestone!" 

2 / 15

"Sharon was absolutely lovely to work with. I'm not the type of person who particularly enjoys photoshoots, but she is exceptionally adept at putting her clients at ease. Her studio is equal parts tranquil, tasteful and casual so that my wife and I were not in the least bit overwhelmed.

Kevin

Sharon anticipates every possible need and plans accordingly so that you don't have to. 

She is able to maintain the pace of her shoots, moving them forward judiciously without making the client feel rushed or unappreciated. She was completely down-to-earth and personable. It sounds cliché, but talking with her felt like catching up with an old friend – exactly we needed after the hectic experience of bringing our first child into the world. Sharon was more than worth the cost."

3 / 15

"Sharon was amazing to work with during our recent newborn session! She was very responsive with any questions I had before the session, and even offered advice on outfits for my older children. I borrowed a gorgeous dress from her client closet, which helped me feel more confident and comfortable for photos. 

Amanda

I was nervous about how the session would go with two young children and a newborn, but Sharon had everything so organized and prepared, that everything went flawlessly.

She was so calming and kind, and her studio felt so welcoming! The finished photos are all so beautiful, that I can't even come close to picking a favorite!"

4 / 15

"I was first introduced to Sharon in 2024 when I did a session of personality portraits, and I was instantly impressed. A few friends had used her before and raved about her work, and now I completely understand why! Sharon truly works magic behind the camera. She is incredibly organized, answering all questions and planning every detail ahead of time. 

Merissa

There’s never a need to stress about locations, directions, or even bad weather—she has a backup plan for everything!

One of my favorite parts of working with her is the dress consult to help plan outfits. She has such a great eye for style and helps put together looks that photograph beautifully."

5 / 15

"Sharon and Amy were fabulous! Right from the initial booking they made me feel special. I wore three beautiful dresses that Sharon already had available for me to wear from her client closet (I LOVE this feature!). We tried on several dresses until I found one that fit comfortably and I felt fabulous in.

Nicole

Amy & Sharon were great at communicating with me every step of the process.

Amy didn’t go overboard with the makeup, she made me look like myself but a little extra glam. An elevated version of myself. They were so fabulous and I would absolutely book them again. I 10/10 recommend Sharon and Amy for maternity or family photo sessions."

6 / 15

"Scheduling was super easy through her website and Sharon is very communicative. Sharon offers a dress consultation so you can go to her studio and try on multiple dresses that fit whatever theme you choose for your photo day.

Nicole

I've never seen a photographer offer a whole closet of dresses to choose from and this takes out ALL the stress of picking an outfit for pictures.

Another priceless offering when it comes to taking the stress out of family photos is hair and makeup (additional fee). I scheduled with Amy for a few hours before my shoot. Amy was so easy to talk to and did a fantastic job with the look I wanted. I'm already looking forward to another booking and have referred her to my friends and family. I cannot recommend Sharon and her team more."  
 

Kind Words

7 / 15

"We recently had our second family session with Sharon and 

Jenna

we were yet again blown away by the entire experience. 

From her expert outfit planning, to making the journey to join us at our beach for photos, Sharon created a relaxed, fun environment from beginning to end. The photos we received were beyond what I could have imagined! She captured our family perfectly!!"

8 / 15

"I recently had the pleasure of working with Sharon for a family beach session, and she was amazing from start to finish! Sharon's attention to detail and professionalism made the entire process seamless. Her empathetic and supportive nature made a world of difference, and the photos turned out beautifully. 

Alexis

I highly recommend Sharon to any mom looking for a talented and compassionate photographer, who takes the stress out of planning.

Her work is exceptional, and she truly cares about her clients. Thank you, Sharon, for capturing these moments for us!"

9 / 15

"Sharon is the absolute best! We worked with her for our maternity photos, newborn photos, and our cake smash one-year-old photos. Each time, Sharon is so professional and friendly, makes us feel right at home, and take the most beautiful photos. We are blown away every time! The client closet is awesome and Sharon really went the extra mile to find gowns that complimented me. 

Jen

We had so much fun taking all of these photos and can’t wait to work with her again!

We will cherish these photos forever."

10 / 15

"We did personality portraits for the second time with Sharon and they came out so well! 

Kelsey

The kids had such a blast and she really captured their unique personalities!"

11 / 15

"We did both our maternity and newborn photos with Sharon and she made each experience beyond amazing. I met Sharon first at our dress consultation and knew we were going to work well together. It’s incredible that she gives you access to some many dresses and really knows how to make a pregnant lady feel beautiful.

She made my husband (who admittedly did not want to take the pictures) feel so comfortable, got him laughing and even looking forward to the newborn shoot.

Then, at the newborn shoot Sharon was so patient with us (it was our first trip out) she again made me feel so beautiful in her huge selection of dresses and was so good and rocking out baby boy to sleep."

Alexa

12 / 15

"Stop reading reviews and just book your session with Sharon Leger Photography right now. Sharon has been there for my family even before we were an official family. She poetically captured our engagement, maternity and our newborn’s first photos.

I couldn’t imagine trusting anyone else with these precious moments.

I am not an easy client. I am nervous, unsure of myself and overly aware of every physical flaw (especially postpartum). Sharon made me feel comfortable and beautiful every step of the way. We love Sharon Leger Photography, especially the woman behind the lens! Thank you for everything, Sharon!"

Dawn

13 / 15

"Sharon is an absolute gem! It has been 3.5 years since I found her and since then she has captured the most adorable and perfect pictures of my two sons and our family.

From newborn sessions, cake smashes and family photos, not one detail has ever been overlooked. Her process is seamless and she makes everything so accessible and easy.

She offers so many options for photo opportunities and has perfected a style that really is timeless! She was so wonderful with each of my children when they were newborns, that it made the experience so worth it! Couldn’t recommend enough!"

Melissa

14 / 15

"It’s hard for me to find the perfect words to describe what Sharon has given me.

I reached out to her when I was thinking about doing maternity photos, and she quickly convinced me that I would not regret it. She was right. Not only do I not regret my maternity photos but I actually love everything about them. Every time I look at them, all of those amazing feelings I felt while I was pregnant come right back as if I’m still in the moment. They are something I will cherish forever."

Kimberly

15 / 15

Kind Words

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