The Church Family | Celebrating 40 Years of Love at The Sixteen Wedding & Event Venue

There are sessions that remind me exactly why I do what I do, and photographing the Church family’s 40th wedding anniversary was one of them.

The Sixteen Wedding & Event Venue (formerly known as Jaz Ranch) recently changed hands and is now owned by Kim and Thayne Church and their family. While they’re still putting finishing touches and exciting upgrades into the property, the venue is officially open and available for rentals—and it is absolutely stunning.

Kim and Thayne just celebrated 40 years of marriage, and what an incredible legacy they’ve built together. In those 40 years, they have raised 16 amazing children and now have 43 grandchildren.

Just take that in for a moment.

Forty years of love.
Sixteen children.
forty-three grandchildren.

An entire family tree rooted in love, faith, commitment, and dedication.

The evening was nothing short of beautiful. There was so much laughter, playful sibling teasing, sweet moments between generations, and the kind of connection you can feel the second you step into it. The love this family has for one another is truly something special, and I felt incredibly honored to document such a meaningful milestone.

I believe photographs are meant to be cherished. These moments—especially the ones that include multiple generations together—deserve to be preserved for future generations. Years from now, these images will tell a story not just of what everyone looked like, but of the love, relationships, and legacy built over decades.

That’s why I always tell my wedding clients: no shot list is ever too long.

The photo with grandparents and grandkids? It matters.
The one with all the siblings together? It matters.
The full extended family portrait that takes a little extra time to organize? It matters.

Because one day, those images become priceless.

Why Milestone Events Matter

Anniversary celebrations are about so much more than a party.

They bring generations together, honor the journey behind the years, and create space for meaningful portraits with the people who matter most.

Whether it’s an anniversary celebration, family reunion, or special gathering at The Sixteen Wedding & Event Venue, these are the moments that deserve to be preserved.

This is why I absolutely love photographing extended family sessions. I help organize the big group shots, capture the candid interactions in between, and make sure the moments that matter most are documented beautifully.

Because years from now, these images won’t just show what everyone looked like—they’ll remind you exactly how it felt to be surrounded by the people you love most.

Kim and Thayne, congratulations on 40 incredible years together. Thank you for trusting me to document your family and this beautiful celebration. Your legacy is inspiring.

If you’re planning a milestone celebration or extended family session in the Elko area, I’d love to help tell your story.