The Salimeno’s Extended Family Session in Boulder

The Egan & Salimeno Family

A mother and father celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary pose with their son, daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren to mark the occasion

Garret slowly wiggled the cork in the bottle loose. A loud pop sounded at it shot free and vanished into the air. His dad quickly held out a glass to catch the foam escaping from the open bottle.

In no time, drinks were poured and passed around to the family and friends gathered to celebrate Steve and Ellen’s 38th wedding anniversary. Their extended family session to capture the occasion was over, and the festivities had begun.

It has been almost a decade since Ilia and I first met. We’ve bonded over many cups of coffee and the antics of our children.

In recent years, Ilia and her family have been regulars in front of my camera so I was especially thrilled when I learned that she wanted to book a session to celebrate her parents’ 38th wedding anniversary.

They chose a gorgeous old building featuring stone, red brick and three winding, iron staircases as the location for their portrait session.

The green in their outfits complimented the architecture and surrounding trees beautifully.

Kegan and Chloe quickly climbed to the top of the highest staircase while Emilia played it safe and peeked through the handrails at the bottom.

Don’t ask me to choose

I’m hard pressed to pick just one photo from their extended family session as my favorite as so many of them tug at my heart.

Emilia’s fascination at seeing her Papa and Yaya share a kiss while the rest of their family looks on.

The delightful laughter and expressions that resulted from all eight family members walking hand-in-hand. Then there’s the kiss Ilia and Kirt shared as they leaned over a railing, complete with a foot pop.

And inviting Garret’s unsuspecting girlfriend to join him for a quick photo or two perfectly highlights their budding new love.

Ilia and Kirt, I’m so thankful for friends like you who allow me to do what I love; capture moments to treasure, year after year. The unexpected spring snowstorm delayed us by a day but couldn’t stop us from capturing gorgeous photos to celebrate your parents’ 38th wedding anniversary.

Plus, now you’re ahead of the game since you found a location for your next family session while we were walking back to the car. Here are some of my favorite moments from your extended family session in Boulder. Enjoy!

xo, Theresa

A mother and father celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary kiss in front of their son, daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren to mark the occasion
Grandparents pose with their grandkids in front of curved iron staircases during a family photo session in Boulder
A couple kiss as they lean over the railing of a curved iron staircase during a family photo session in Boulder
An extended family posed in front of a trio of curved iron staircases smile at the camera during a family photo session in Boulder
An extended family smile at the camera during an extended family session in Boulder
A couple kiss while leaning over the sides of a pair of curved iron staircases during a family photo session in Boulder
An extended family hold hands as they walk during an extended family session in Boulder
A family of five pose on a trio of curved iron staircases during a family photo session in Boulder
An extended family hold hands as they walk during an extended family session in Boulder
A mother and father celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary kiss in front of their daughter and, son-in-law to mark the occasion

Gear used during this extended family session: Think Tank Backstory 13, Canon 5d Mark IV, Canon EF 50mm 1.2L 

Interested in a session for your family?

Click here to learn more, or contact me with questions. 

If you can see your family in moments like these—but the idea of making it happen feels a little overwhelming—I’ve got you. I’ll guide you every step of the way so it feels relaxed and natural, not forced.

Let's Get Started
Headshot of Theresa Pelser, an Erie-based family and newborn photographer.

I’m Theresa, a family photographer and mom of four based in Erie, Colorado.

I work with families who want photos that feel like real life—connected and true to who they are.

Whether you’re planning a cozy in-home session or heading outdoors, I bring a calm, encouraging presence and an eye for the moments that matter most.

You might also find this helpful

How to prepare for your outdoor family photo session

How to prepare for your outdoor family photo session

How to prepare for your outdoor family photo session If you’re feeling a little nervous about your upcoming family photos—you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to wonder if your kids will cooperate, if your outfits will come together, or if it will all feel a...

What to wear for family photos (without the stress)

What to wear for family photos (without the stress)

What to wear for family photos Let’s start with this: there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to choosing what to wear for your family photos. These are simply ideas that tend to work well, gathered from years of photographing families in all kinds of...

What to wear for senior photos (and still feel like you)

What to wear for senior photos (and still feel like you)

What to wear for senior photos Senior photos mark a meaningful milestone—and it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to wear to celebrate the occasion. You want to look and feel like yourself, without overthinking every detail. This guide will help you choose...