Celebrating Your Anniversary With Your Growing Family

Your marriage made a family. Let's celebrate it together, under a glowing sunset.

Short summer reads…

When you first got married, an anniversary probably meant a meal out for two. Then life happened, in the best way. Little ones arrived, the house got louder, and suddenly finding a babysitter for an anniversary dinner feels like planning a military operation.

Here's a thought: what if your anniversary didn't have to be child free to be special? Some of my favourite photographs have come from couples who chose to celebrate their marriage with the family it created.

A Real Family Shoot: At Home and Outdoors

Hannah and Henri had an in-home and outdoor family shoot with me, a gorgeous and delicate photoshoot for a lovely family. The aim was simple: relaxed photographs with their growing family, especially their children, in places that already felt like theirs.

The shoot took in both their home, where the children were comfortable and the moments came naturally, and the beach, with sand to play in, water to paddle at and plenty of room to run about. Hannah and Henri said it best: "Leon is friendly and professional and has given us some great family pictures."

You can see more of their shoot on the Elope with Leon portfolio.

Why Home Is a Great Place to Start

Starting at home takes all the pressure off. Children don't need to "behave for the camera" in a place they know inside out. They can show you their favourite toy, climb on the sofa or hide behind a curtain, and all of that is real, lovely family life.

For the two of you, it's a chance to see your everyday through someone else's eyes. The kitchen where the morning rush happens, the garden, the doorstep. Morning light through the window, a pile of little shoes by the door, the corner where bedtime stories happen. Years from now, those ordinary scenes will mean more than you can imagine.

Taking It Outdoors

A beach is perfect for families. There's no need to stand still, and nobody minds sandy knees. I photograph candidly, so while the children are chasing waves or digging for treasure, I'm catching the looks between the two of you, the laughter and the quieter moments when everyone stops to watch the sea. Many North Wales beaches are wonderfully wide at low tide, which gives little legs plenty of room to run.

If you'd like ideas for where to go, my post on summer anniversary ideas in North Wales includes beaches, picnics and seafront strolls that work beautifully with little ones too.

Making Time for the Two of You

Celebrating with your family doesn't mean the two of you disappear from your own anniversary. I'd always suggest leaving a few minutes for photos of just the two of you, even if it's while a grandparent keeps the children busy with an ice cream nearby. It's your marriage we're celebrating, after all. Even a short walk hand in hand along the shore, with the family waving in the background, makes a beautiful frame.

Twilight Ceremonies is all about honouring your marriage in the summer months. You can choose a relaxed Couples Sunset Shoot, a milestone ceremony or a renewal of vows. If you'd love your family to be part of your celebration, get in touch and we can talk through what would work for you, from nap times and bedtimes to short attention spans.

Helping Little Ones Feel at Ease

Children can be shy with new faces, so there's no rush to start. A few minutes to say hello, show me a favourite toy or point out their best shell usually breaks the ice, and the photos follow on naturally from there. A favourite teddy or a bucket and spade can work wonders, and they make sweet details in the photos too. And yes, bribery with snacks is absolutely allowed.

Why These Photos Matter Later

It's easy to put family photos off until the children are a bit older, the house is a bit tidier or everyone has had a haircut. But there's never a perfect moment, and the years when they're small go by incredibly fast.

Photos of you together as parents, holding them, laughing with them, chasing them along the sand, become precious to the children too as they grow up. One day they'll look back at these pictures and see how much they were loved, long before they could remember it.

Practical Tips for Family Shoots

A little planning helps everyone enjoy it. Keep snacks and a change of clothes in the bag. Choose outfits that coordinate rather than match exactly. Plan around your children's best time of day, which for many little ones is earlier than the sunset. And most importantly, let go of perfect. The giggles, the wriggles and the one sock missing are exactly what you'll love looking back on.

A Family Story That Keeps Growing

Your photos join your Love Story Album, online and printed, which grows with you across every chapter. If you married with me, your family photos sit alongside your wedding day, and you can add your own holiday snaps whenever you like. Every summer you come back, there'll be someone a little taller in the frame.

To see other couples I've worked with, have a look at my love stories, and when you're ready to reserve a summer date, the booking page explains how to get started.

The little ones will grow, and the photos will remember how small they once were.