Extended family photography Harrogate, Swinsty Reservoir.
A wonderful family get-together at Swinsty Reservoir in Harrogate – flying a kite, chasing bubbles, a glorious picnic and group family portraits.
Extended family portrait Harrogate, Swinsty Reservoir.
Last Summer I had the pleasure of photographing an American family for an extended family photography session at Swinsty Reservoir near Harrogate. I arrived at the car park and met up with Nadia and her son, the boys had car trouble and unfortunately had to get to a garage for some emergency repairs, so we set off on our own for a while and played by the reservoir making bubbles and chatting while we waited for news.
It was such a beautiful day and I would definitely recommend Swinsty Reservoir as a great location for family photography all year round. The reservoir is in the Washburn Valley, less than 10 miles north of Otley and west of Harrogate and, along with the adjacent Fewston Reservoir, it’s great for a nice stroll around the water or a wander through the nearby fields and woods.
Once the boys arrived, we just went with the flow, allowing everyone to relax and settle in. Games continues with chasing bubbles and building a kite whilst the ladies prepared the picnic, It was so lovely to see three generations of the family flying a kite by the water, simply enjoying each other’s company.
After the picnic we wandered around the reservoir, stopping here and there whenever the light looked beautiful or the boys found somewhere interesting to explore. I always try to keep family sessions moving naturally like this, especially with larger family groups, as it helps everyone relax into things rather than feeling like they’re constantly being photographed.
Swinsty Reservoir was the perfect backdrop for it all - even in the middle of Summer it wasn’t super crowded, with plenty of quiet spots along the water and open views across the Washburn Valley.
Extended family portraits
As the afternoon went on we captured a few small and large group portraits before finishing up by the water’s edge. It was such a lovely session to photograph and a really special reminder of time spent together between three generations of the family.
Planning an extended family photography session
If you’re planning an extended family get together, celebrating a special occasion or simply want some relaxed photographs of the whole family together, outdoor sessions like this work beautifully. Locations such as Swinsty Reservoir near Harrogate are ideal for larger family groups, giving children space to play whilst allowing everything to unfold naturally, I can come up with a few ideas based on what your family enjoys or I can come to a favourite place of your choice..
I photograph relaxed family sessions across Harrogate, Leeds, Yorkshire and beyond, focusing on natural moments and genuine family connections rather than overly posed photographs.
Find out more about my approach to family photography here:
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A relaxed extended family photography session at Swinsty Reservoir near Harrogate, with three generations together enjoying kite flying, bubbles, a picnic and natural family portraits.