· ·

Celebrating 20 Years: Darlean & Roger’s Amsterdam Anniversary Photo Shoot

A couple kisses in the doorway of a classic Amsterdam building, holding flowers, with bicycles and plants nearby, during their sweet anniversary photo session

This fun couple was celebrating their 20 year anniversary with a trip all around Europe, and they were planning to be in Amsterdam for less than 24 hours! They knew they wanted a photo shoot to celebrate their anniversary while they were here, and I was so excited to plan with them! Darlean and Roger were dreaming of a classic Amsterdam city location, but color was important too. Darlean told me that she loved vibrant colors and flowers, and was hoping for photos that captured that playful energy they still have after over 22 years together and 20 years of marriage. How could I say anything but yes to helping her achieve that vision?

  • A hazy, backlit moment on an Amsterdam city street during golden hour, with a couple lightly holding each other and looking into each other's eyes, surrounded by greenery and blooming flowers.
  • Black and white photo of a couple looking out at an Amsterdam canal at golden hour

How the couple described their relationship to me:

opposites attract • quirky • easygoing

(I love to use these descriptions to understand how my couples naturally interact with each other, and inform what kinds of things I might ask them to do during our shoot!)

Photo Shoot Route:

We met at one of my favorite Amsterdam locations for late afternoon and evening light, the Brouwersgracht canal! From there, I planned a walking route for us that included some classic Amsterdam architecture, bridges, canal houses, and of course lots of greenery and flowers along the streets, too.

A couple kisses in front of a brick building, hiding their faces with a colorful bouquet
A couple leans against the railing of a canal bridge and gazes at each other during their anniversary photo session
A man and woman stand by a canal during their anniversary photo session in Amsterdam. She leans against the lamppost holding a bouquet, and he shades his eyes from the sun and looks at the camera across the water.

Quick Photo Shoot Highlights

Time of Day:

Early evening!

Type of Photography Session:

A colorful, joyful 20th anniversary photo shoot in Amsterdam

Time of Year:

Summer!

Key Photo Shoot Locations

Central Amsterdam • Brouwersgracht Canal • Herengracht Canal • Bridges, alleyways, and cobblestone streets

  • A couple sits by a canal in Amsterdam, smiling at each other, with a custom bouquet and a small boat nearby, celebrating their 20th anniversary.
  • A couple celebrates their 20th anniversary in Amsterdam, standing on a bridge over a canal as a tour boat passes below.
  • A couple stands in a doorway in Amsterdam, holding a custom bouquet and kissing during their intimate anniversary photo session to celebrate in Amsterdam.
  • Black and white photo of a couple walking with arms around each other, by a canal and historic buildings in Amsterdam, holding a custom bouquet of flowers in this charming cityscape.
  • Black and white photo of a married couple stealing a kiss on an Amsterdam city street during a photo shoot to celebrate their anniversary.
  • A couple kisses with arms around each other on a cobblestone Amsterdam street, partially hidden by a flowering bush and with hazy, romantic backlighting.
  • A man gently brushes his wife's hair back during their anniversary photo session.
  • A joyful couple on a bridge during their Amsterdam photo shoot, holding flowers and laughing together

Planning for an Amsterdam Anniversary Photo Shoot with Color and Joy

Color and flowers were the most important part of the planning for this photo session! Darlean sent me photos of her anniversary outfit early in the planning process: a gorgeous blue floral top paired with a bright green skirt. She wanted florals that would complement the vibrant colors she’d be wearing, something whimsical and fun with pinks, blues, and greens.
I connected with Flora Romance, a local Amsterdam florist, to create a custom bouquet that would fit her outfit and vision. We worked together to design something that felt joyful and celebratory and that would tie in with her outfit.

  • Black and white photo of a couple standing in front of a brick building
  • A smiling couple stands by a canal during their Amsterdam photo shoot; a woman holds a bouquet and leans against her husband.
  • A couple kisses in front of a brick building in Amsterdam as someone bikes past them during their photo shoot
  • Black and white image of an about-to-kiss moment as the couple holds each other while standing on a bridge
  • A woman spins under her husband's arm as they dance together on a canal-side walkway in Amsterdam
  • A couple holds hands and laughs while walking down an Amsterdam city street with rainbow flags, greenery, and bikes blurred in the background, during their anniversary photo shoot, complete with a custom bouquet for the occasion.

Photo Shoot Outfits:

Darlean’s outfit really did bring the bright and happy, and paired with her bouquet, she was the most joyful, colorful person on the canals! Roger’s clothing choices were much more muted, but in a way that complemented hers well and helped her vibrancy sing. I loved that he chose a light blue shirt that echoed the blues in his wife’s top and flowers!

My Favorite Moments and Details from our Session:

I could really feel how in love and at ease this couple was together after 20 years together! They had so much fun together, and Darlean’s joyful vision for their evening together really came through in more ways than one.

  • A couple embraces in a hazy sunlit moment during golden hour, with a lens flare, surrounded by flowers and greenery on a quiet Amsterdam street
  • A husband has one arm around his wife's waist and gazes at her while she looks off to the side and laughs, with a canal and classic Amsterdam buildings in the background
  • A smiling couple holding hands walks together on a cobblestone street lined with plants, capturing memories during their anniversary photo session.
  • A man twirls a woman in a green skirt and blue floral top as they dance together on a quiet Amsterdam street lined with plants and bicycles, capturing a joyful moment during their anniversary photo session.
  • Black and white photo of a joyful couple by an Amsterdam canal, laughing together during their photo shoot, with classic canal houses in the background.
  • A couple laughs together and looks off into the distance on a bridge in Amsterdam
  • A smiling couple strolls by a canal with arms around each other in a Amsterdam city during golden hour; the woman holds a custom bouquet of flowers by her side
  • Quiet, backlight moment as a couple stands holding each other during their anniversary photo session, with Amsterdam's classic canal houses in the background
  • A couple poses and smiles by a canal with trees and buildings in the background, celebrating their anniversary in Amsterdam with a golden hour photo shoot
  • A couple leans on a lamppost in direct sunlight, wearing sunglasses, for a memorable and badass moment during their Amsterdam photo shoot.
  • A man and woman hold each other close, nose-to-nose and about to kiss. The woman is holding a custom bouquet down by her side and the background is blurred to emphasize the romantic moment.
  • Black and white photo of a couple holding each other and staring into each other's eyes in a doorway in Amsterdam
  • A smiling woman in a blue floral top and green skirt stands by a flowering bush on a sunny Amsterdam street during golden hour
  • Smiling couple hugs by a canal, holding a custom bouquet, with sunlight and historic buildings in the background—a perfect anniversary photo session in Amsterdam.
  • A couple walks with arms around each other an Amsterdam city street lined with bikes and plants. She is holding a colorful bouquet down by her side.
  • A smiling couple stands by a canal in front of colorful Amsterdam buildings, holding a custom bouquet during their anniversary photo session.
  • A couple dances by an Amsterdam canal in front of tall brick buildings and greenery during their anniversary photo session.
  • A couple celebrates their 20th anniversary with an Amsterdam photo shoot, with colorful buildings and water in the background.
  • A couple gazes at each other, partially obscured by a flowering bush in the hazy golden hour light.
  • A couple walks hand in hand on a cobblestone street in Amsterdam; the woman holds a custom bouquet of colorful flowers, perfect to celebrate their anniversary in Amsterdam.
  • A couple poses on a sunlit Amsterdam street surrounded by greenery. Their vibe is lightly badass as the stare down the camera
  • Black and white image of a couple leaning against a lampost and exchanging a look on a sunlit sidewalk in front of a brick building with large windows

Photo Shoot Details

Photographer: Paige Gribb Photography (more info on my romantic photo shoots for couples here!)

Florist: Flora Romance (and yes, I’m happy to go in person and coordinate with them for you, too!)

Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands! We were in central Amsterdam, mostly around the Brouwersgracht canal and Herengracht canal
Cute Amsterdam streets, canal houses, and bridges

Shall we keep going? More blog posts here: