From Wedding Day to 15 Years Later…
Same Dress.
Same Park.
Same Photographer.
Same Couple.
Different Dreams.
More Hope.
Bigger Family.
Stronger Hearts.
These are Heather & Julian’s 15th Anniversary Portraits!
You can absolutely tell Heather & Julian are grateful for where they’ve been and for where they are going.
I photographed Heather & Julian’s wedding on August 14, 2010, just a few weeks before my first son was born. (Yes, I was about 34 weeks pregnant at the time — very pregnant! My sister carried my gear, my friend Becky Young (now retired) was my second shooter, and together we captured a wedding day full of joy.)
Over the years, Heather has kept in touch, sometimes leaving a comment on my social posts saying: “We should re-create some of our wedding pictures!” My response was always: “Anytime, just let me know when you’re ready.”
This was the year. On their actual anniversary, which fell on a Thursday night, we met again at Lions Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a session that felt both nostalgic and like a new honor. You can see behind-the-scenes reel here on Instagram!
Heather’s dress still fit, and she looked radiant in it all over again. Julian wore a crisp white tie, just like 15 years ago. Heather carried a stunning replica bouquet created by The Prairie Rose in Cheyenne, echoing the blooms she carried on her wedding day. They were nearly identical and so lovely.
Why Anniversary Portraits Matter
Anniversary portraits carry a beauty all their own. Wedding portraits capture the excitement of new beginnings — the anticipation, the sparkle, the “just married” joy. But anniversary portraits? They reflect endurance. They tell the story of love that has been tested, refined, and chosen again and again.
Heather & Julian’s session was about celebrating the life they’ve built: their sons, their journey as foster-to-adopt parents, and the lessons that only 15 years of life together can teach.
When I asked them what makes their marriage work, Julian answered simply: “Patience.” Heather added: “Grace.”
And when I asked what they’d tell their wedding-day selves if they could send a letter back in time, Heather smiled with wisdom and said: “The really good stuff comes after the hard stuff.”
That’s the kind of truth only time and experience can reveal.
The Setting – From Northern Colorado into Southern Wyoming
One of my favorite parts of photographing in this region is how the landscape shifts as you cross the Colorado-Wyoming border.
- In Northern Colorado, you’ll find foothills, dry golden grasses, and tree-lined parks in Greeley, Windsor, Fort Collins, and Loveland.
- Just a little further north in Southern Wyoming, the scenery opens up into rolling hills, big skies, and wide-open spaces with more country roots.
That was true for Heather & Julian’s anniversary session. I left behind 100° heat in Greeley, and in just about an hour’s drive north, Cheyenne greeted me with a cooler air and soft, painterly skies. Lions Park — with its lakeside views, lush trees, and expansive green lawns — gave us the perfect setting to reflect both nostalgia and renewal.
Then & Now – Re-Creating Memories
One of the sweetest touches was that Heather & Julian brought their original wedding album. We flipped through the pages together, pointing to favorite poses and deciding which ones to recreate.
Seeing these images side by side — then and now — is like finding and creating a time capsule. The smiles are the same, the closeness is the same, but the depth is richer. Their children will look at these photos and see:
“Our parents chose each other. They showed patience and grace. They built a life together.“
They’ve Still Got It
As I edited these images, I thought about a quote I’d recently heard:
“Sometimes the God of the universe pauses to touch the heart of one person. Imagine what He does for two people who choose each other in marriage.”
That thought echoed through this entire session. Heather & Julian’s story is beautiful and their own to tell, but I assure you — it’s one of patience and grace, of letting go of control, of leaning on each other as they’ve fostered, adopted, and grown as parents and partners.
Their portraits show it all: the laughter, the steadiness, and the enduring joy of love that lasts when two people keep choosing each other.
Why I Love Anniversary Portraits
Over 19 years of photographing couples and families, I’ve seen love stories at every stage. While I don’t currently take on full-day weddings, I find so much joy in:
- Family sessions
- Senior portraits
- Branding photography for small businesses
Anniversary portraits might need to be added to this list… They don’t require the demands of an eight-hour wedding day (and the recovery days afterwards), but they celebrate something even deeper: love that has stood the test of time.
This kind of marriage is rare and beautiful. Photographing this kind of story never stops being an honor.
A Very Happy Anniversary
Heather & Julian’s story 15 years later was an honor, and yes — I cried while editing these images.
If you’re one of my past wedding clients, I can’t recommend an anniversary portrait session enough. Pull out your dress (or find a new one if the original no longer fits), order a bouquet, and let’s capture where your love story is today.
Sometimes just as meaningful portraits come years after the wedding.
Thank you, Heather & Julian, for allowing this full-circle moment to happen!
Heather Lilly is a portrait and branding photographer based in Northern Colorado. With 19 years of experience, she specializes in family portraits, senior portraits, and small business branding. Heather serves clients across Northern Colorado — including Greeley, Windsor, Fort Collins, and Loveland — and happily travels to Cheyenne, Laramie, and the rolling hills of Southern Wyoming to capture golden hour with her clients. The best way to get a hold of her is by filling out her contact form!
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