Beyond your wedding day, you might hire a photographer for the proposal, an engagement shoot, or a boudoir shoot. Perhaps you need someone to shoot your shower or engagement party. But some couples are coming up with another reason to have a fun photo shoot—the wedding anniversary! Here, we talked to Danielle Marie Photography about anniversary shoots as well as one of her couples, Lexi and Isaac. She’s shot eight so far. “I think this could definitely become a trend, in fact I would say it should become a trend! I think many couples don’t realize it’s an option, but I’ve started listing it in my services as a discounted add-on when they book at the time of their wedding.” Here’s what Danielle had to say about anniversary shoots.
Meet the Photographer: Danielle Marie
What do you like about capturing anniversary shoots?
One of the things I love the most about anniversary shoots is that they are truly authentic. Even though that is what a wedding day is supposed to be, I think nowadays there is an element of following trends to make the wedding feel a certain type of way, or almost having it become a performance—you don’t really get that with anniversary shoots. The couples are truly free to be themselves, showcase their personalities or hobbies, and not be tied to the rush of a timeline or scheduled day. It’s also incredibly more creatively free as the photographer! You can play, experiment and get creative in ways that a wedding day timeline doesn’t always allow.
Any favorite locations you wish people would choose?
I’ve captured anniversary sessions from the most gorgeous locations in Utah to the most simple and quiet love filled home. Couples have chosen remote fireside snuggles or to revisit their wedding venue and dance where they did years before. What I really want is for my couples to choose a place where they will feel like themselves and cherish the photos down the line.
Why should couples consider an anniversary shoot?
I think it’s a great way to share a milestone with each other, with future generations, with family and friends through social media—you name it. Not only is it a fun activity to do together and celebrate, but it’s a tangible, visual reminder that you get to relive and look back on your whole marriage as it grows for years to come.
What makes an anniversary shoot special?
I think celebrating your love story is just an important thing to do, and special in and of itself. Whether you choose to do a small shoot every year, or a mile-marker one at 1, 5, 10 years, it’s so important to take time to celebrate each other. I think (and I say this as someone who is married haha) we can often take our partners for granted as time goes by. But think of how many things you go through in life together, just in a year. Why not commemorate and celebrate the commitment, the tenacity, the hard work, the smallest moments along the way?
A Couple’s Experience: Lexi & Isaac
That’s just how Danielle’s clients, Lexi and Issac felt. They got married on June 4, 2022 and decided to do an anniversary shoot a few months after their one-year wedding anniversary. Here’s what they said about their experience.
Why did you decide to do an anniversary shoot?
I loved our wedding photos, but I’d always dreamed of having a wedding at the beach. We opted for an indoor wedding to avoid any extra stress about the weather day of, but from then on, I wanted to do an anniversary shoot at the beach.
In a way, you relived your wedding day by putting your wedding attire back on. What was that like?
It was so much fun to put my wedding dress on again! I’m a firm believer that a wedding dress should be worn more than once (it is your dream dress so why not put it on again?!)
My husband and I ran behind a shed on the beach to change into our wedding clothes and were laughing the whole time, trying to quickly change while being sandy and wet. We both felt transported back to our wedding day, though. We had multiple people shout ‘congratulations’ during the shoot. And we got to relive some of that wedding giddiness, which was so fun.
What did you like about doing this shoot? What were you thinking in the moment?
I loved how carefree we felt. We just ran around the beach and enjoyed time with each other, while Danielle was shooting. My husband literally picked me up and spun me around in the ocean at one point, while I was wearing my wedding dress. We were laughing the whole time and just soaking it in.
Any tips for other couples considering an anniversary shoot?
So cheesy, but just do it! Find a place where you and your person feel most authentic to yourselves and let loose. The photos will be magical.
