This last weekend I spent the day with my Grandma Fiechtner and got the opportunity to do a photoshoot with her. It would have been easy for me to create a bunch of pretty and nice shots of my grandma smiling for everyone to see but that's not the look I was going for. I wanted to show who my grandma is and the long wonderful life that she has lived. This photoshoot was more than taking a bunch of photos. It was about spending time with her, listening to her stories, and learning more about what made her life so great. What will I remember about my grandparents? Where they worked? How much money they made? Of course not. I'll remember playing baseball at their house and trying to hit the plastic ball over the house, lighting off fireworks in the backyard with my grandpa, having sleepovers at their house with my brother and many other fun memories.

I realize more and more that these are the things that matter, the relationships in our lives and time spent with those that matter to us. These are the things someday my kids and grandkids will remember about me. Lately when I go over to my grandma's house we just talk. She tells me stories about her life as a child, stories about my dad and his siblings or stories about her and my grandfather.

Over the years my grandmother has found enjoyment in tracking our family history through our family tree. She'll tell me stories or things about relatives I never met. When I die and become a part of a family tree what will they say or write about me? What about you? What will be said about you?

Here is the result of my day with my grandma:

This was inspired by Chase Jarvis's blog post entitled "5 Photoshoot Ideas Worth Stealing" where he went on to suggest photographing one of your grandparents. Thanks Chase for a great idea!