This Oakland family session was an extended family gathering at Joaquin Miller Park — a wedding anniversary celebration that brought family members in from out of town for the weekend. With that many people together, we had a built-in energy to work with.

Kids found the fallen log see-saws, collected sticks and rocks, discovered huckleberries. The adults had space to actually relax and be together rather than performing for the camera. That’s when the best extended family photos happen — when there’s enough going on that no one is thinking too hard about being photographed.

Some of my favorite moments from this session were the ones in between the bigger ones — cousins being silly with their parents’ glasses, grandparents stealing a moment together, a dad and daughter finding each other in the middle of everything.

If you’re thinking about an Oakland family session at Joaquin Miller Park or anywhere in the East Bay, I’d love to hear about your family. Get in touch to start planning.