Overcast and intimate family session on the shores of Lake Michigan with beautiful first-time parents and the sweetest newborn baby.

I will always prefer family sessions that feel relaxed, authentic, and intimate over those filled with stiff poses and forced smiles. One of the best ways to capture these genuine moments is by photographing your session in a setting that holds meaning — whether it be in a cozy spot at home, a favorite park, or a favorite vacation destination. For my sister-in-law Sarah and brother-in-law Paul and their newborn baby, it made perfect sense to shoot their family session at Lake Michigan, a childhood vacation destination.

On a beautiful September weekend, our family returned to Door County, Wisconsin for a camping trip at Nicolet Bay. Nicolet Bay lies along Lake Michigan, and camping there is a childhood tradition for Robert’s family. As the oldest of seven siblings, Robert grew up vacationing here almost every summer and it holds a special place in all our hearts.

We have gone camping there before as a family of three, but this time our group was even bigger. Alongside our little family, both sets of our parents, Sarah, Paul, and their newborn baby Greyson joined us. When Sarah and Paul said they’d be joining us, I was pleasantly surprised. Sarah was never a fan of camping growing up, and she just had just given birth a few months ago. But Sarah is sentimental (just like me) so this trip was the best opportunity to introduce Paul and Greyson to the campground with so many family memories.

I brought my favorite cameras along — my trusty 35mm Canon and my point-and-shoot digital camera, which I use to capture magical everyday moments of my own family. Even though we were on vacation, we still had a tight window to shoot the session in, and Sarah did a great job picking out the most perfect spot. She found a quiet, unoccupied campsite just off the lake, with sweeping views of the water and towering trees all around. Though the day was overcast, it added a moody, relaxed quality to the images. The vastness of the lake, the soft light through the clouds, and the shadows of the trees created a stunning background.

The session itself was relaxed and very natural — definitely more lifestyle than posed. Little Greyson, just a few months old, was the star of the show. Capturing Sarah and Paul’s love for their baby and for each other was such an honor. Watching Sarah as a new mom, so deeply in love with her son, and Paul’s quiet, steady adoration was so heartwarming. It’s moments like these that remind me of our capacity to love and how much I adore to capture those feelings as a photographer.

Here are some of my favorites from this gorgeous family session. Enjoy!

If you want to see more of Sarah and Paul, I documented her pregnancy with the dreamiest maternity photos, so you can check those out here!