December 3, 2021
When you hear the word “anniversary,” what do you think? Maybe an anniversary trip, a nice dinner, or a gift according to the year you’re celebrating. But have you ever considered booking an anniversary photoshoot?
Taking anniversary pictures to celebrate your years together is such a beautiful way to create memories. By getting professional photos done, you and your partner are able to celebrate your time together in a way that’ll give you memories to look back on forever, as each year goes by.
This is something my husband, Mike, & I do. Each year since we got married (going on year 5 now!), we’ve booked an anniversary session with a photographer. And I am so happy we’ve done it.
Keep reading for 5 reasons you should book an anniversary photoshoot each year. And enjoy the photos of Mike & I from our past few anniversaries for some inspiration!
5 Reasons You Should Book an Anniversary Photoshoot
1. To purposefully mark the passage of time
Photos are one of the most beautiful ways you can purposefully mark the passage of time, in my opinion. You can always celebrate with a fancy dinner or a memorable trip. But, photos are what you’re going to be able to look back on for your entire lives. Photos will bring you right back to that moment more than a memory in your head can.
I’ve seen couples hang their anniversary photos on the walls of their first home together. You can frame them in a collage you keep above your bed. Or go all out and create a beautiful, physical album that you add to each year! Add as many albums as you need to throughout the years, and you’ll end up with an incredibly special collection to look back on & pass down to future generations.
2. To exchange new vows, or renew old ones
One wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary is to renew your vows. Whether you want to renew the original vows you exchanged at your wedding, or you want to completely re-write new ones, it’s fully up to you.
This is a chance to think back on what you said when you originally got married, and update your vows to be more meaningful & account for what you’ve been through together since that original wedding day.
Mike and I renewed our vows & wrote each other letters for our 4-year anniversary this past year, and it was so dang special. We stood on the rocks of an epic beach in the PNW, and got to reflect on the 11 years we’d been together + 4 we’d been married. What a trip it was – and what a wonderful way to celebrate.
You can explore a new location together for your vow renewal, or go back to the original spot you got married. Whatever would make it the most special for the two of you!
3. To get new photos that reflect your current season of life
A lot can happen in a year, or a few. Use your anniversary session to get new photos that reflect your current season of life! If all you have to look back on is your wedding photos, they won’t include any new additions to your marriage, such as kids or new pets.
Anniversary photos can double as family photos if you’ve welcomed a new child, pet, or anything of the like, into your marriage since your wedding!
These photos will also reflect changes in your relationship since you got married in the most beautiful way.
4. To reflect on your journey together
Anniversary photos are an amazing way to reflect on the journey you’ve been on together since you started dating, and since you got married. So much has likely happened since your wedding day and it can be so easy to get caught up in everything life throws at you. Use your anniversary session as a time to reflect on everything that’s happened, both good & bad. How has it changed your marriage? How have you grown together?
5. To bring the focus back to you two
And finally, anniversary photos are the perfect excuse to bring the focus back to you two. Again, life can hit you with a lot in a short time span. Maybe you’ve had kids or brought new pets into your family since you got married, and have been so focused on taking care of them that you forgot what started it all: the two of you.
Use this time to be present with each other and intentionally focus on you two, and nothing else. A great way to make this extra special is to make a trip out of your anniversary session – book a cozy Airbnb for a night or two and escape your normal lives for just a little while!
What to Wear for Your Anniversary Pictures
Struggling to figure out what to wear for your anniversary pictures each year? Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered! Check out my blog post with My Top 3 Tips for Your PNW Photoshoot Outfits for all of my best advice.
More Anniversary Photo Inspiration
If you’re looking for some more anniversary photos inspiration besides Mike & I, be sure to check out Talon + Payton’s Romantic Ruby Beach Anniversary Pictures! These two modeled for me and got anniversary pictures at the same time. It was an awesome day on the coast!
