Studio Ostendo operates in multiple creative fields including photography, design, and education.
When I first talked with Anna about doing family photos in Stanley, Idaho, I knew their session would be so fun. Anna and her brother both brought their families back to Idaho for a summer family vacation at a spot they grew up vacationing together as a family: Redfish Lake.
I met Anna and her family on a sunny Saturday morning in front of Redfish Lake Lodge in Stanley. As we walked down the rocky beach together, Anna’s parents told me about the family vacations they’ve been on in Stanley over the years. As a couple, they have been visiting Stanley for over 40 years. Anna’s mom pointed out a few spots along the way that had been captured in old family photos when Anna and her brother were just kids. This summer, their family came together to make new memories in the same place.
When families hire me to create meaningful art and capture significant memories for them in photographs, it is always an honor. It’s the best when those opportunities are personal, and these family photos in Stanley were exactly that. It was so special to watch this family explore and play in such a special place to their family. Generations of their family have enjoyed that same alpine lake shoreline in Idaho, and hopefully generations more will too. There was a moment during the photography session when I peeked back at Anna’s parents as I photographed their grandkids climbing on a piece of driftwood and playing in the water. Her mom was wiping a tear away, her dad smiling, and I knew these family photos would be the sweetest, long lasting gift for them.
Stanley, Idaho is a stunning location for family photos, engagement photos, weddings, and elopements. Located just under 3 hours from Boise, Stanley is a quaint mountain town surrounded by over 1000 miles of untouched wilderness. The area is beautiful almost anywhere you look, and for families who love a little adventure, it’s an amazing spot to explore. As a photographer in Idaho, I love when families or couples choose amazing locations like Stanley for their photos. If you’re thinking about having family photos done in Stanley, here are some tips to consider:
If Stanley, Idaho is already a significant place for you and your family, you’ve got this one covered. If you’re visiting Stanley for the first time, or choosing it as a location for your family photos because of the beautiful landscape, find another way to make your photos in Stanley personal. The best family photos will capture you and your family as you really are together, not only the sweeping landscape you choose as a background.
For most families, the best time to visit Stanley will be during the warmer months of the year. Summers in Stanley can reach highs in the 80’s and 90’s—perfect temperatures for dipping in a Lake or other outdoor activities. Idaho summer sunsets are late, even in Stanley, with sunset times as late as 9:30pm in June and July. Winters in Stanley can be cold and harsh—with the average temperature below 35 degrees from January through mid-March.
When planning your family photos in Stanley, Idaho, choose a location that allows your family to do something you love together! Consider taking a short hike or walk together, playing along a riverbank or alpine lake. Maybe you love horseback riding or fishing—whatever activity you choose, incorporating something you love is a great way to make your family photos in Stanley personal and meaningful. The interactions captured in photographs will hold special memories when you aren’t just posing for photos only during your session.
While it’s possible to make a day trip to Stanley for photos, I highly recommend staying in Stanley if you’re visiting from out of town! A few of my favorite spots include Mountain Village Resort, Triangle C Cabins, and Redfish Riverside Inn. (Prime months book early in Stanley.) Support local businesses during your trip, and make the most of your time in Stanley with your family!
I’m Becky, a lifestyle and family photographer in Idaho where I live with my husband and son. If you’re looking for a photographer in Stanley, I’d love to connect! Each time I pick up my mom’s old film camera to snap a photo of my boys or grab a phone photo of a mundane moment with my son makes me a better photographer for my clients. As an artist I’m not only creating my favorite work with clients. Day in and day out, I’m capturing the things in my own life worth remembering—the stories I’ll be retelling for years—and I’d love to do that for you.
I love photographing families and the life they are building together. While I love creating beautiful photographs that catalog another year gone by for families, I’m obsessed with capturing raw interactions and families as they truly are. What I hope for my lifestyle and family sessions is that they become a time for families to connect with their loved ones in a way that’s meaningful to them.
Get to know a little more about me or reach out via my website to chat about a family photography session in Stanley with me.
Wedding photography is my heartbeat. For me, it holds the perfect tension between creativity and authenticity, observation and connection. In front of my camera clients transform to friends, and behind it you'll usually find me tearing up, cheering you on, or holding my breath because of the raw goodness of the moment at hand.
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