The Difuntorum Family | Jack Hill Park Fall Portraits

familiesfamily

Nov 6

There’s something so special about watching families grow year after year. I’ve had the joy of photographing the Difuntorum family for the past three years, and it’s been such a treat to see how much Charlotte (Charlie), Cecilia (CC), and Colt have grown since our very first session together.

This fall, we met at Jack Hill Park, one of my favorite local spots for family portraits. The warm golden light, open fields, and tree-lined paths made the perfect setting for their soft brown, cream, and blush outfits. The mix of textures and tones gave every image a cozy fall feel that fit this sweet family perfectly.

Fall family portraits of Parker, Shyla, and their three children—Charlotte, Cecilia, and Colt—at Jack Hill Park in Elk Grove, surrounded by golden trees and soft evening light.

Capturing the Whole Family Together

We started the session under the trees where the light filtered through just beautifully. Parker and Shyla looked so relaxed as they held hands with the kids, who were full of giggles and energy. Charlie and CC twirled in their matching floral dresses and little white boots, while Colt kept up with his big sisters, showing off his charming smile.

I love how their family portraits feel so natural — warm, joyful, and full of those sweet in-between moments that make family sessions so special. The golden tones of the park and their coordinated outfits tied everything together perfectly.

Full family portraits of Parker, Shyla, and their three children—Charlotte, Cecilia, and Colt—at Jack Hill Park in Elk Grove, with warm golden light and fall trees in the background.

Sweet Moments Between Parker and Shyla

After capturing the family together, I took a few minutes to photograph Parker and Shyla on their own. The way they looked at each other was so genuine — you can tell their relationship is built on love, laughter, and teamwork.

Shyla’s cream dress flowed beautifully in the soft breeze, and the golden hour light brought out the warm tones of the field behind them. These simple, tender portraits are some of my favorites — just the two of them surrounded by the same light that’s been shining through all the years of their marriage and parenthood.

Romantic portraits of Parker and Shyla Difuntorum at Jack Hill Park in Elk Grove, smiling together in soft golden light near the wooden bridge and open fields.

Individual Portraits of the Kids

Next, we focused on the kids — and they were absolutely adorable! Charlie and CC looked picture-perfect in their matching long-sleeve dresses, each showing off her own sweet personality. Colt was full of charm, smiling proudly in his plaid shirt and olive-green pants.

These portraits capture exactly what I love most about milestone-style moments during family sessions — every child’s personality shines, and parents get those treasured individual shots that mark this season of life.

Individual portraits of the Difuntorum children—Charlotte, Cecilia, and Colt—at Jack Hill Park in Elk Grove, featuring natural smiles and warm fall sunlight with a rustic bridge backdrop.

Each Parent with the Kids

To wrap up the session, we captured each parent with the kids near the bridge — these always end up being some of my favorite photos. The laughter between Shyla and the kids was contagious, and Parker’s group hug moment had everyone grinning ear to ear.

You can see the love in every frame — those joyful, easygoing connections that remind us why family portraits matter so much. It’s moments like these that families look back on and remember not just how they looked, but how it felt to be together.

Portraits of Parker and Shyla Difuntorum each with their children—Charlotte, Cecilia, and Colt—at Jack Hill Park in Elk Grove, showing laughter, hugs, and joyful family connection near a rustic bridge.

Why I Love Watching Families Grow

It’s always such an honor when families come back year after year and trust me to capture their memories. Watching the Difuntorum family grow over time has been such a joy — from those early sessions when the kids were still little to now, seeing their personalities shine in front of the camera. Building lasting relationships like this and documenting each new season of life is truly one of my favorite parts of being a photographer.