Extended Family Photo Session at Carlton Landing, Lake Eufaula Oklahoma
There is something really special about extended family sessions. Especially when everyone is coming together from different states, different seasons of life, and carving out intentional time to just be together. Carlton Landing at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma is one of my favorite places to do exactly that.
This extended family session took place just after Christmas when a Texas family who is now spread out across several states gathered for a winter weekend at Carlton Landing. I photograph a lot of summer sessions at Lake Eufaula, often involving boats, docks, and lake days. Getting to experience this place in the winter was such a refreshing twist and honestly made me fall in love with it all over again.
Winter at Carlton Landing has a calm, slow energy that is hard to beat. The community itself offers so many beautiful backdrops for family photos without ever feeling rushed or busy. Boardwalk walks with the whole family, lake views with rocking chairs right along the water, and little tucked away nooks of stunning architecture make it incredibly versatile for extended family photography. And can we talk about the vines climbing the buildings in the winter? So good. The texture, the character, the charm. It photographs beautifully.
We also spent time back at their rental house for the weekend, which I always love incorporating into sessions like this. Porch photos, cozy moments, and even a few shots inside to stay warm on a cold evening. Everyone was such a trooper. These are the kinds of images that feel personal and lived in. The kind that actually reflect what this weekend together looked like.
Carlton Landing is not just a great photography location. It is a place designed for quality time. In the summer, you have bike rentals, kayaking, paddleboards, pop up shops, and Milo and Lily Boutique. In the winter, you get something different but equally special. A stillness that invites you to slow down.
Picture a slow morning wrapped in a blanket, a book in hand, sitting in the rocking chairs by the lake.
Grab a coffee to go from The Meeting House and let the morning unfold without a schedule.
Cozy game night in with the family? Easy. Head over to Mama Tigs and grab a pizza. Thank me later.
Mama Tigs is a staple for my family and we go there more often than I care to admit. Their handcrafted wood fired pizzas are top tier. My go to is their specialty Mama Tigs pizza with Alfredo sauce, ham, mushrooms, and onions. But do not sleep on their salads. I love adding a side house salad. The mixed greens are always fresh and the tomatoes are actually red. Consistency matters and they nail it every time.
By now, I hope you are picturing how perfect a weekend at Carlton Landing could be. Whether you are coming from Oklahoma City or the Dallas Fort Worth area, it is an easy drive and such a great option for a weekend getaway. And here is my gentle nudge. Carve out just one hour of that trip to document it.
Extended family photo sessions are about more than smiling at the camera. They are about freezing a moment in time when everyone is together. When kids are growing, grandparents are present, and life feels full. Carlton Landing offers the perfect balance of beautiful scenery and meaningful time together.
And if you are feeling really adventurous, rent a boat and give me a call. We can take things to the lake and have some real fun. If you know you know ;) Learn more HERE
Let’s Capture Your Family Together
Hi, I’m Tara Brady.
If you’re looking for a lifestyle family photographer in Oklahoma City and beyond who specializes in extended family sessions, I’d love to work with you. These sessions are about documenting connection across generations, honoring the season of life you’re in, and creating space for real moments while everyone is together.
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Let’s preserve the time when everyone is together, exactly as it feels right now.