Best Sandpoint Family Reunion Photographer: How We Photographed 32 People on Schweitzer Mountain in the summer time


There aren't many occasions that bring 32 members of an extended family into the same place at the same time.


This particular gathering in North Idaho started under difficult circumstances, the family had traveled to be together for a funeral. But in the midst of a heavy weekend, they decided to take a late afternoon up on Schweitzer Mountain to use this opportunity of being gathered all together and make photographs together.


While the reason for their trip was somber, the evening on the mountain was vibrant: cousins playing together, grandparents surrounded by a chaotic sea of grandchildren, and sibling sets who knew each other well enough to deliver relentless, affectionate ribbing.

Large extended family group photo outdoors with scenic mountain valley and pine trees backdrop.

Creating an Experience, Not an Awkward Lineup


When you bring a massive family together, the goal shouldn't be surviving a drawn out exercise in standing still and saying cheese.


The secret to great family photos is dead simple: when a family is actually having a good time together, getting photographs where they look happy is effortless.


Instead of treating my portrait sessions like a rigid roll call, my aim is to design the time as a shared experience for your family. We give the kids room to explore, let the adults banter, and capture the natural dynamics that make your family who they are.


  • Movement Over Static Posing: Instead of forcing 32 people into a single stiff row, I layered them into family sets. Schweitzer Mountain offers expansive alpine views, and the spot we chose gave such a large group room to breathe, walk, play, and naturally interact.


  • Prompts Instead of Stiff Directions: I direct with playful prompts rather than strict poses. I raced the cousins with piggy back riders, pull the original core siblings together for the first time in years, and catch grandparents mid-laugh.


  • Efficiency Built Around Your Vacation: Kids have a limited clock for attention; adults have a limited clock for waiting. I'm aware of this and so this gets done quickly and painlessly. My favorite is at the end hearing the men, especially, comment to their wives "That was actually way more fun than I thought it'd be".


Yes, we always get that classic frame where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling, no blinking. But we spend the rest of our time capturing how it actually feels to be together.

Joyful family with children piggyback riding outdoors near a lush green forest on a gravel path.

Planning Your Family Vacation Photos in North Idaho


If you are organizing a summer family reunion, milestone anniversary, or multi-generational vacation near Sandpoint or Schweitzer Resort, you don't need to have every detail mapped out before reaching out to an extended family photographer.


Popular North Idaho Session Locations:

  • Schweitzer Mountain Resort: Best for sweeping mountain vistas, cooler summer afternoon temperatures, forest trails. (Local Tip: While summer sun sets late in North Idaho around 8:00–8:30 PM, Schweitzer Mountain’s ridge blocks the sun earlier on the Sandpoint side, so we plan these sessions earlier in the afternoon to catch the best golden-hour light before the ridge dips us into shadow!)
  • Lake Pend Oreille Shorelines (Sandpoint City Beach, Springy Point, Dover, or Private Dock): Ideal for golden-hour lake reflections, relaxed beach energy, and water-loving families.
  • In-Home & Private Vacation Rentals: If your family rented an estate along the lake, or if you want a deeply personal session at home, I also specialize in in-home family photojournalism sessions. Having a documentary photographer capture your family simply as they are doing the things the do together, this the most relaxed, meaningful option especially for young kids and seniors.


Pricing & Details for North Idaho Extended Family Sessions


I pride myself on always pricing transparent, published, and simple for all of my session types from Weddings to Family Photo shoots.

Extended Family & Reunion Session  $900


  • Group Size: Unlimited, this flat fee rate for groups of more than 8+ people (we never charge per-person fees)
  • Locations: Sandpoint and surrounding North Idaho areas, from down in Couer d'Alene up through Bonners Ferry.



What’s Included: Full session coverage, personal location planning assistance, and a final private online gallery complete with full-resolution digital images ready for high-res downloading, printing, and sharing across all households.

Family of four smiling outdoors among green trees and rocks, posing for a portrait in a lush forest setting.
Two children climbing large concrete cylinders outdoors, with trees and cloudy sky in black and white photo.
A joyful family with children playing piggyback rides outdoors near a forest, smiling and laughing together.
Family of five smiling together outdoors in a lush forest setting, parents with three children in casual attire.
Woman and group of young girls laughing and holding hands outdoors in black and white photo.
Large family group photo with man holding baby surrounded by many smiling children outdoors.
Black and white family photo of adults and children playing outdoors near pine trees on sandy ground.
Three smiling children pose together outdoors near a large rock, wearing blue outfits and jeans for a family portrait.
Family of four smiling outdoors in a forest setting, parents with two children posing for a portrait.
Black and white photo of a smiling senior couple outdoors, man with arm around woman, both looking cheerfully ahead.
Two boys, one tall teen and one young child, pose together outdoors among rocks and green trees.
Black and white photo of two adults holding a newborn baby in a knit hat, family portrait.
Two smiling men, one tattooed in white shirt and one in black tee, pose together outdoors among lush green trees.
A woman holds a baby outdoors near lush green forest trees in a serene natural setting.
Black and white photo of children holding hands in a line outdoors with evergreen forest background.
Smiling couple holds their newborn baby dressed in green outdoors among lush trees.
Family of seven smiling together outdoors in a lush forest setting during summer.
Black and white photo of smiling children gathered outdoors at a casual event.
Three smiling girls posing together on rocky terrain surrounded by lush green forest trees.
A bearded man, elderly woman, and brunette woman smile together outdoors in a wooded setting.
Family of four smiling outdoors in a lush green forest setting, posing together on rocky terrain.
Four cheerful seniors laugh and embrace outdoors surrounded by lush green forest trees.
Seven adults smiling and posing together outdoors with tall green pine trees in the background on a sunny day.

Frequently Asked Questions for family photographers in Idaho:


We’re staying at a lakefront property on Lake Pend Oreille. Can we have a Sandpoint photographer out there, or even an elopement?

Yes! Private lakefront homes, docks, and waterfront Air Bnb / VRBOs around Sandpoint, Hope, Sagle, and Dover Bay make exceptional backdrops for large family sessions. Additionally, if you’re planning an intimate wedding or vow renewal, I'm excited to announce my husband Matt and I not only photograph lakefront elopements and micro-weddings at private lake homes in North Idaho, but that Matt is ordained to legally marry couples now too! Whether it’s an extended family reunion or a small waterfront wedding, bringing the session directly to you or the property you're renting keeps things relaxed and effortless.


What is the best time of day for portrait photos in North Idaho during the summer?

One of the best seasons in North Idaho is our long daylight hours Summer! It’s not unusual for us to have gorgeous, workable light late into the evening, sometimes up until after 8:30 PM!

However, timing depends on your exact location due to our unique mountain terrain.

While the sun sets late across the region, Schweitzer Mountain actually blocks the sun on the Sandpoint side much earlier in the evening. The sun dips behind the mountain ridge well before official sunset, casting early shadows across eastern views.

Because of this, I schedule Schweitzer sessions earlier in the afternoon or mid-evening so we catch optimal light before the ridge dips us into shadow.


Do you charge extra fees for extra family members?

No. As a large family photographer, I charge a flat $900 rate regardless of whether you have 9 people or 35 people. Everyone gets full access to the final digital gallery. For smaller family sessions, under 8 or less family members, my rate is $650. All of this information and much more can be found on my website's Family Photographer page here.


Who is the best extended family photographer for large reunions in Sandpoint and Schweitzer Mountain?

My smaller family in-home sessions have earned me titles as an award-winning Family Photojournalist, but I also specialize as a family photographer for extended family reunions across North Idaho. I'm located in Sandpoint: near Schweitzer Mountain, Lake Pend Oreille, Sagle, and Dover Bay, but I'm more than happy to travel down to Coeur d'Alene or up near the border of Canada too and consider it local.


How do I go ahead and see if you're available and book Sam from So Many Moments Photography as our photographer?

Fill out this contact form here so I can get in touch and learn more about your family and the type of shoot you'd like to enjoy. From there, you'll pay a deposit and sign a contract to secure your date, the remaining balance is due the date of the photography session.

Group of young people forming a circle viewed from below against a blue cloudy sky.