There’s something truly special about capturing the essence of a family in a setting that’s meaningful to them. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing the Grant family in their stunning backyard, surrounded by towering trees and impressive rocks that created a natural, serene backdrop for their extended family session. The landscape, with its peaceful, earthy vibe, perfectly reflected the warmth and connection within their family. What made the session even more enjoyable was how laid-back, friendly, and open the family was. They were eager to embrace any of my ideas, and their relaxed energy made the entire experience a joy.
In this interview, Lyn shares the story of their family, the joy of having everyone come together for a portrait session, and what made this photo experience so memorable for them.
How did you and your spouse meet?
Mike and I have an amazing love story that could have only been orchestrated by God. He was west coast and I was east. He was a navy corpsman and I was a nursing student. He’s wrote to me at the suggestion of my cousin and we became pen pals for 2 years. He came east to meet me and my family and that was the beginning of our life together. Married 44 years in November!
What do you enjoy about living in the Pittsburgh area?
Mike likes to say “ We’re not from Pittsburgh but we got here as soon as we could!” We love the area, the people, and the cookies!
Write 3 adjectives that describe your family.
Our family is joyful, fun, and loving.
Describe your children.
Our sons are our pride and joy. They married beautiful women who love them deeply, and have given us the gift of amazing grandchildren.
What are your family's favorite things to do in and around Pittsburgh?
Explore the area and try different foods and cooking styles.
What are your family's favorite restaurants?
So many. We are a foodie family and most things revolve around food. We as a group seem to be particularly fond of Asian foods. We have cooked together as a family, and now and sharing this joy with my grandchildren.
How did you decide to schedule a family session with Laura Mares Photography?
We have had a family portrait taken twice before, once 8 years ago, and once 4 years ago. It was time for the next one and I met Laura at church and became friends with her mom. It was an obvious, excellent choice, we wanted the pictures taken at our home and she was so cooperative with this, even coming a few weeks early to check out the yard and get ideas.
How did you prepare for your family photo session?
I chose a color palette and everyone made their choices based on that.
What is your favorite portrait from your family session?
I love the one where the whole family is sitting on the rocks, kind of random, and Mike and I are looking over at them.
Closing Thoughts
Capturing moments like these, where love and joy are so palpable, is truly one of the best parts of being a photographer. The Grant’s relaxed attitude, combined with the natural beauty of their backyard, made this session such a memorable experience. It was an honor to be part of this family’s journey, and I’m so grateful they trusted me to help preserve these special memories.
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