An Extended Family Session at the Cottage in Gravenhurst, Muskoka.

Denise and her family are long-term clients of mine. I’ve photographed her family and her sister’s family every year, and with her parents about 2–3 years ago. Watching their kids grow up through my lens has been such a gift.

In January, Denise reached out and asked if I’d be willing to do her extended family session in the summer at her family’s cottage in Gravenhurst, Muskoka.

My first reaction was “Wow, OMG!” And then… “Hm, can I make it that far?” I hadn’t been back to Muskoka in years, not since having kids, and I’ve never been a fan of long drives. But at the same time, I knew this would be so special and an epic session. I really wanted to do it.

After many emails back and forth, we came up with a plan. I would make this a little getaway trip with my family, so we brought the kids along. Denise was so generous and kind in hosting our whole family for the night of the session. We also planned a backup session at a local location in case it rained. Thankfully, it didn’t.

We had the most perfect day for the session, and I’m so in love with how these turned out.

Family cottage on the beautiful Kashe Lake in Muskoka

Our kids also loved their time in Muskoka and have been asking to go back ever since. Going forward, I think I need to add Muskoka as one of our travel session destinations, haha.

If you’d love to document a family session next summer, or even this winter, at your family’s cottage, please invite me over. I’m now dreaming of doing more sessions there. I think there’s something so special about doing your family session in the place you spend the most time with your children, the place holding the most memories.