Your wedding album stops on day one
You probably have hundreds of photos from your wedding day. Then the camera went back in the drawer, and the next decade of your marriage got documented in blurry phone selfies at restaurants.
An anniversary shoot fixes that. It doesn't need a venue, a veil or a plan the size of a wedding. It needs an idea that means something to the two of you. Here are the ones that work, by milestone, by setting and by who's in the frame.
Anniversary photo ideas by milestone
Traditional anniversary gifts make ready-made props. TIME traces the list to an 1859 edition of The (Old) Farmer's Almanac, which paired one year with paper, five with wood, ten with tin, 25 with silver and 50 with gold.
• 1st, paper: write each other letters and photograph the reading, or hold up a paper map of where you met.
• 5th, wood: carve your initials on a driftwood plank, or shoot in a forest with your backs against the same tree.
• 10th, tin: a tin can "Just married... ten years ago" string tied to the back of your car, shot as you drive off again.
• 25th, silver: a champagne toast under silver balloons, or your wedding rings stacked on a silver tray.
• 50th, gold: a golden-hour walk, gold confetti, and the whole family watching from the sidelines.
The late milestones are rarer than they sound. The US Census Bureau reported that in 2009, 35 percent of married couples had reached their 25th anniversary and only 6 percent had passed their 50th. If you're one of them, hire someone for this one.
Recreate your wedding or first-date photos
Recreations are the most shareable anniversary photoshoot ideas because the before-and-after tells the story for you.
• Pull out a favorite wedding photo and match the pose, angle and location as closely as you can.
• Put the dress and suit back on. If they don't fit, wear the veil with jeans, or the tie with a T-shirt.
• Go back to the diner, bar or bench where you had your first date and order the same thing.
• Re-stage the proposal, this time with a photographer who knows it's coming.
Print the original photo and hold it in the frame for one shot. It's the picture everyone will ask about.
At-home and outdoor ideas
Home shoots feel easy because the backdrop already means something:
• Slow-dance in the kitchen while dinner cooks.
• Recreate your Sunday: coffee in bed, crossword, the dog wedged between you.
• Flip through your wedding album on the couch.
Outdoors, pick a place that's yours: the beach from your honeymoon, the trail you hike every fall, a rooftop in the city where you met. Our guide on how to pick outfits for photoshoots covers colors that work together without matching.
Timing matters more than location. timeanddate.com explains that golden hour's warm light happens when the sun sits between 6 degrees below and 6 degrees above the horizon, so shortly after sunrise or before sunset. The CDC notes UV rays in the continental US are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which is also when light is harshest on faces. Our breakdown of the best and worst light for outdoor photos goes deeper.
Bring the kids into the frame
Your family is the result of the marriage, so let them into a few shots. Start with the two of you, then add everyone once the kids are warmed up.
• Kids holding a sign or chalkboard with the year you married, parents kissing behind them.
• Everyone piled on the bed or couch, the dog included.
• For a 40th or 50th, line up every generation, oldest to youngest.
Keep the family part short. Twenty minutes is plenty for small children.
A few poses that always work
Keep posing simple: forehead to forehead, a walk away from the camera and a look back, one partner hugging the other from behind, or a slow dance with a dip at the end. For more, our guide to engagement photo poses translates directly to anniversary sessions.
Getting it on camera
Timing a dip at sunset while someone nails focus is hard to do with a tripod. With Snappr, you can book a vetted photographer with as little as 2 hours' notice, and edited photos arrive within 48 hours of the shoot. Book an anniversary photoshoot with Snappr and add a new chapter to the album.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good anniversary photo ideas for couples?
Recreating a wedding or first-date photo, a golden-hour walk somewhere meaningful, or an at-home morning with coffee in bed. Tie the shoot to your story and the photos will feel personal.
How do you do a 50th anniversary photoshoot?
Use gold as a theme, shoot during golden hour, and include every generation of the family for part of the session. Keep the couple portraits relaxed, seated if standing is tiring.
Should we wear our wedding clothes for anniversary photos?
It's a popular choice for recreation shots. If the originals don't fit, mix one piece like the veil or tie with everyday clothes for a playful version.
When is the best time of day for anniversary photos?
Golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, gives soft, warm light. The CDC notes UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so avoiding midday is easier on skin and eyes.
Sources
1. TIME, Why Are There Special Gifts for Each Anniversary Year?: 1859 Old Farmer's Almanac list pairing paper (1), wood (5), tin (10), silver (25) and gold (50)
2. US Census Bureau, Census Bureau Reports 55 Percent Have Married One Time (CB11-90): in 2009, 35 percent of married couples had reached their 25th anniversary and 6 percent had passed their 50th
3. timeanddate.com, Golden Hour: golden-hour light when the sun is between 6 degrees below and 6 degrees above the horizon
4. CDC, Sun Safety Facts: UV rays strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the continental US
