12 Years Later: An Anniversary Session at the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens

12 Years Later: An Anniversary Session at the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens

Some photography sessions are extra special, and this one will always be one of those for me.

Twelve years ago, I photographed Jeannie and her husband’s wedding at the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens. It was one of the first weddings I photographed after becoming a full-time wedding photographer, back when RedTree Photography was just getting started.

And then, 12 years later, Jeannie reached out to me again.

She wanted to celebrate their anniversary with a special photography session at the Botanical Gardens — and even better, she wanted to recreate some of her favourite wedding photos from 12 years ago.

How amazing is that?

Recreating Wedding Photos 12 Years Later

There is something incredibly meaningful about returning to the same place where you were married and recreating photographs from your wedding day.

We found some of the same locations around the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens, recreated some of their favourite wedding portraits, and then captured new images that reflected who they are today.

The differences after 12 years were so fun to see. Of course, they have changed, and life has changed, but there was also something so familiar about seeing them together again in the exact place where I photographed them all those years ago.

For a photographer, getting to document that kind of history is pretty incredible.

Anniversary Photos at the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens

The University of Alberta Botanic Gardens is such a beautiful location for anniversary photography. The gardens provide so many different backdrops, from lush greenery and beautiful pathways to flowers, trees and architectural details.

It also has a completely different feeling from a typical studio anniversary session. There is room to walk, explore and interact with each other, which makes it much easier to create photographs that feel natural and authentic.

For couples celebrating an anniversary, recreating wedding portraits can also be a really fun way to make the session personal.

You don’t have to recreate every image. Pick a few of your absolute favourites — the ones you still love looking at 5, 10, 20 or even 50 years later — and let’s see what they look like now.

From Their Wedding Day to Their Anniversary

One of my favourite parts of this session was comparing their original wedding photographs with the photographs we created 12 years later.

It was a little blast from the past for me, too.

These images are from the first year that I photographed weddings full-time, which makes looking back at them especially meaningful. I can see how much my photography has changed over the years, but I can also see the beginning of the style and approach that I still love today.

And getting to photograph the same couple again after 12 years?

That is something I never take for granted.

When a couple trusts you with their wedding day, you hope that you’ll create photographs they will love for years to come. But having someone return 12 years later and ask you to photograph another important chapter of their story is an entirely different kind of compliment.

Edmonton Anniversary Photographer

If you’re looking for an anniversary photographer in Edmonton, I would love to create something meaningful with you.

Your anniversary session doesn’t have to look like your wedding all over again. It can be an opportunity to document where you are now — whether that’s your 1st anniversary, 10th anniversary, 25th anniversary or beyond.

And if you still have a favourite wedding photograph from years ago, bring it along.

Let’s recreate it.

Because while so much can change over the years, photographs have a pretty incredible way of reminding us that the most important things can stay exactly the same.

Jeannie, thank you for coming back to me after 12 years. It was such an honour to see you both again and to photograph this chapter of your story.

And now, enjoy scrolling through this little blast from the past — some photographs from their wedding 12 years ago alongside their anniversary photos today.

Here’s to 12 years, and to many more.

Photographer: Amy Moedt, Owner/Photographer