Celebrating Marriage: A PNW 61st Anniversary Session

“Did you talk to her dad before you got married?” I asked my grandpa on the way to their anniversary session location. “Are you kiddin’ me!?” He looked at my grandma and laughed with a laugh that shook his whole body. She couldn’t keep it in either; tears began to roll down her cheeks in between quick breaths and giggles. This went on for several minutes. Each of them took a deep breath to regain composure. They sighed one final time, and didn’t say a single word after that, as if the memory and those attached with it were sacred. I felt like I just witnessed one of the most satisfying moments of my life.

Here, two people who I’ve known for 24 years, flipped their usual-collected selves into to a fit of laughter as if they were giddy school kids sharing an inside joke. In that moment, I realized that photographing anniversary sessions would forever be my niche. If this is what marriage looks like after sixty years, then put me in the game, coach, it’s magic. I want to photograph magic.

Tom and Dolly, my grandparents, are two people who share their lives, hearts, wisdom, and home cooked meals with everyone that they come into contact with. This year marks their 61st wedding anniversary, so we took advantage of the cool Pacific Northwest weather to photograph them while they’re still young — one could call them spring chickens, practically. While photographing their marriage, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of tenderness that Tom showed Dolly; in the way that he held her, looked at her, spoke to her, and walked with her. I can’t wait for you to see it, too.

Katie Day Photos is an eco-friendly and sustainable business located at the base of the Central Cascades mountain range in Washington state. If you connect with these photos and would like to book an anniversary session, reach out by calling Katie Day (425-499-3438), or by using the contact form shown in the menu bar above.