From Colorado Mountains to Richmond Rivers: An Extended Family Session at Pony Pasture

Pony Pasture Professional Family Photography | James River Family Portraits | Richmond Family Photographer | 

There's something extraordinary about the moment an entire family decides to pause—really pause—and celebrate being together. Not for a holiday. Not for a milestone birthday. Just because they love each other and want to remember this exact season of life.

That's exactly what happened when Kelly reached out about an extended family photography session at Pony Pasture.

Kelly wanted to gather everyone she loves most in one place, with the James River as their backdrop. We brought together Kelly and her husband Vincent with their kids—11-year-old Leo and 7-year-old Victoria. Kelly's parents, Robert and Karleen, joined along with her brother Chris, and Vincent's mother, Suzanne. And naturally, Toby the schnauzer was there, too. Three generations. Coordinating outfits. And the stunning natural beauty of Pony Pasture's riverfront.

Here's what made this session even more meaningful: Kelly's family had relocated from Colorado, where they'd taken family portraits with the magnificent mountains as their backdrop. But now Richmond was home. And Kelly wanted something that represented their new chapter, their new roots, their new beginning in Virginia.

So we headed to Pony Pasture, where the James River could tell their new Richmond story.

This wasn't just about getting updated family photos. This was about visually claiming Richmond as theirs. About creating images that said, "We're here now. This is our place." Because while Colorado gave them mountains, Richmond gave them the James—a river with its own kind of grandeur, its own power, its own unmistakable beauty that's distinctly ours.

If you've ever stood along the James River at Pony Pasture, you understand immediately why Kelly chose this location for her extended family portrait session. The water catches the light like liquid gold. The rocks create natural gathering spots that feel both intimate and grand. For Richmond families—whether you've been here for generations or you've just made this city your home—Pony Pasture offers an authentic connection to the landscape that defines us.

What struck me most about photographing this family wasn't just their coordinating outfits or their picture-perfect smiles—it was the genuine joy radiating from every interaction. This is a family that truly likes each other. They're the family cheering together through Jeopardy episodes, laughing through Brooklyn Nine-Nine reruns, and settling in for epic movie marathons featuring Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. They're equally comfortable traveling to new destinations as they are gathering around the dinner table.

That authentic connection? You can't fake it. And you absolutely can see it in every image.

Watching Leo and Victoria interact with their grandparents, seeing Vincent and Suzanne share knowing glances, capturing the love between Kelly and Vincent while Toby bounded between family members—these aren't just photographs. They're visual proof of a family that's built something beautiful together, carried it across state lines, and planted it firmly in Richmond soil.

Here's what I've learned after years as a Richmond family photographer: the sessions that matter most are often the ones you almost talk yourself out of scheduling. "We'll do it next year." "Maybe we should wait until the kids are older." "Is it too much to coordinate everyone?"

But here's the truth: Leo is 11 right now. Victoria is 7 right now. This version of your family—with these ages, these dynamics, this particular moment—will never exist again.

Extended family photography sessions aren't just about getting everyone in one photo. They're about documenting the relationships that define your family. The way your daughter leans into her grandmother. The proud expression on your father's face as he watches his grandchildren. These are the images your children will treasure decades from now.

If this three generation family photo session has you thinking about gathering your own loved ones for portraits, here's what makes these sessions truly exceptional:

Location matters. Whether you're drawn to the James River for family portraits, prefer the urban elegance of downtown Richmond, or envision something entirely different, choosing a location that reflects your family's personality transforms good photos into meaningful heirlooms.

Coordination without uniformity. Kelly's family understood that looking cohesive doesn't mean everyone wears the same thing—it means creating a visual harmony that lets each person's personality shine.

Include the whole family. Yes, even the four-legged members. Toby wasn't an afterthought—he's family, and his presence in these images makes them authentically theirs.

Embrace the chaos. With three generations, perfection isn't the goal—connection is. The candid moments, the genuine laughter, the slightly imperfect but completely real interactions? Those are the ones you'll cherish most.

Kelly's family didn't just receive digital files. They received visual heirlooms—images powerful enough to become the centerpiece of their home. And now, instead of Colorado mountains in the background, they have the James River. A new landscape for a new chapter.

This is the difference between taking pictures and creating legacy.

As a premier family and senior photographer serving Richmond, Central Virginia, and beyond, I've built my business around one core belief: your family story deserves to be told with artistry, intention, and excellence. Whether you're documenting three generations, capturing your immediate family in this exact season, or marking a significant transition like a cross-country move, these images are an investment in what matters most.

Whether you've been in Richmond for generations or you've just made this beautiful city your home, let's create images that celebrate exactly where you are right now.

Katie Kraft Photography specializes in extended family photography, senior portraits, professional headshots, and dance studio portraiture throughout Richmond, Central Virginia, and beyond.