By Cheryl Eagers, Professional Photographer at Cherish Artz Mackay
Recently, I had the privilege of photographing the Vassallo family as they celebrated an incredible milestone: Victor (84) and Mary Vassallo (79) marked 60 years of marriage. To honor this momentous occasion, the family organized a reunion and reached out to me at Cherish Artz to capture their portraits. These family reunion photos in Mackay were a wonderful way to preserve their legacy.
The Vassallos are a close-knit family with deep roots in their community. Victor and Mary have lived in the same area for 60 years, raising their children—Vivian, Joe, David, and Rodney—on the family’s cane farm. Over the years, they moved between three houses, all in the same location, until finally settling next door to the farm. Even now, the family farms remain a cornerstone of their lives.
Victor is a jokester, quick to laugh and always ready with a story, while Mary finds her greatest joy in cooking and feeding her family. For Mary, the kitchen is a place of love, and for Victor, the farm is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Their lives have been a beautiful blend of tradition, family, and hard work—a legacy their children and grandchildren cherish.
On the day of the reunion, over 40 family members and extended relatives gathered at Victor and Mary’s home, just on the way to Seaforth. Unfortunately, one grandchild couldn’t make it, but the love and energy in the air more than made up for their absence.
Despite the less-than-ideal lighting conditions at 10:00 am, we worked around the morning sun to create meaningful portraits. We selected a dirt roadway for some of the group shots, offering a bit of shade and a rustic, family-farm feel. Chairs were provided to ensure Mary and Victor’s comfort during the session, and it was clear just how much these family reunion photos in Mackay meant to everyone.
One of the “must-haves” on the photography list was capturing the entire family in Mary’s tiered garden—a spot lovingly tended to over the years. We also made sure to include a special moment with Victor and his beloved Ford tractor, a symbol of his farming heritage.
With Vivian taking charge and my trusted assistant Trish helping to gather everyone, we worked through the list of group shots, ensuring every cherished combination of family members was captured. Watching the Vassallo family interact, it was impossible not to feel the deep love and respect they have for one another and the admiration they hold for Victor and Mary.
Moments like these are a poignant reminder of how important it is to take the time for professional family photos, especially during milestones and reunions. These family reunion photos in Mackay go beyond mere photographs—they become treasures, preserving the legacy and love shared by families for generations to come.
When families make the effort to come together, it’s worth capturing those moments professionally. The smiles, the laughter, the shared history—these are memories you can look back on and cherish forever.
To see all the images from the Vassallo Family Reunion photo session, please follow the YouTube link below.
Contact Cheryl to record your family photos, they will be valued for a lifetime.
