Matt & I’s story is probably similar to that of nearly every other photographer’s family- we went the first almost two years of marriage and only managed to take a grand total of something like four photos together, three of which were probably iPhone photos. After attending WTAW in June 2012, I realized just how very much it bothered me that I’d failed to put more of an emphasis on documenting OUR love story. I’d spent so much time and effort working to capture other people’s memories and moments that I’d forgotten to take care of Matt & I; we have a story worth telling as well.

There’s a tendency to have photographs taken during the “big” moments- engagement, wedding, babies, etc. But what about the in-betweens? What about the years spent just the two of you as you fall more in love, become even better friends, and learn the in’s and out’s of living life together? Or the years spent with small children, when sometimes you just want an excuse to get away and enjoy the presence of just your spouse? Those moments, that time, it matters.

I’ll never forget how I felt during our anniversary session with J&M in New York City. The images are of course beautiful, and I appreciate them for the gorgeous photographs that they are. But even more so, those photographs allow me to recall how I FELT during that brisk Sunday afternoon- standing there in Central Park in the chilly November air, holding onto my husband, his arms looped around my waist, and kissing. Kissing a lot. I remember falling in love with him all over again that day. Wondering how I ever got to lucky to share life with this incredible man, a man who would drive up to New York to spend several hours out in the cold taking pictures, all because he knew that it was important to me to have those photos. We needed that.

At my core, I believe that marriage is worth fighting for. That some day, every marriage will face its share of up’s and down’s. And sometimes, in those moments, we need to be reminded that love NEVER fails. And THAT is why I love anniversary sessions. Do I think that photographs are a magical cure for marital problems? No, I don’t, but I do believe that photographs can act as a conduit for healing, as a reminder that things weren’t always this hard, that times can and will be beautiful once more.

As time passes, I realized more and more than as much as I love weddings, I love MARRIAGE even more. Last year, I had the honor of photographing several anniversary sessions, and I’ve come to realize that I want “celebrating marriage” to be a much more significant part of the Abby Grace brand. So for 2014, I’ll be opening up my schedule a bit more for anniversary sessions, and just a tad less for weddings. It’s important to me that people find a reason to celebrate their marriages, and photographing your love, just as it is in this moment in time, is the perfect way to do that.

If it’s been years since you’ve taken a photo with your husband or wife, do yourself a favor and get in front of someone’s camera and spend time simply enjoying one another’s presence. Your marriage is worth celebrating!