Sometimes simplest is best! Your backyard is always there and it is a place with memories of your childhood or memories of your children. No need for a professional photographer, get out your smartphone and take some pix! You’ll treasure them for a lifetime. The photo above is my brother, Howard, and me circa 1953! I can’t remember that day but I do remember being 2 years old and I have very clear memories of this house and yard which we left when I was seven. All these years later my brother is still the skinny one and I’m still chubby!
The second photo here shows grandmother and granddaughter sitting in the front yard. The background is not all that pretty but in the photo you can’t see it because it is blurred. This is easy to do with “Portrait” mode on the newest iPhone. I think other smartphones have this kind of feature also. With a DSLR, set the shutter to A (aperture priority) with a setting of 2.8 or 3.5. That will give you shallow depth of field like the photo below.
The backyard is also a great place for a professional photographer. The benefit is you are in your own space where you can be comfortable. And you can go inside your own house for wardrobe changes. The picture below shows a bridal session the week before the wedding. We brought a sofa outside and Laura dressed in her gown.
Many weddings take place in backyards. The last photo on this page shows Dallas and Katie shortly after their ceremony at Katie’s parents house.