Ten Years Later | Waterford Castle Anniversary Photography

Lauren and Phil returned to Ireland ten years after getting married at Waterford Castle. Their Waterford Castle anniversary photography session brought them back to where it all began, accompanied by four close friends who had also been guests at their wedding. We had booked two hours together before dinner at the castle, but kept everything relaxed and had the full session completed in about 90 minutes.

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A Relaxed Waterford Castle Anniversary Session

We covered both inside the castle and around the grounds, photographed the couple, their friends and each couple individually, without ever feeling rushed. Waterford Castle is one of those places where you really don’t need to force photographs. There are so many little corners around the grounds, the old stonework, the trees, the paths and of course the castle itself. We basically went for a walk. We strolled around, had the chats, stopped here and there when I saw something I liked, and I photographed what was happening along the way.

That is generally how I like to work anyway. I don’t want people feeling like they are in a long formal photoshoot. I would much rather blend in, talk to everyone, have a laugh and let the pictures come out of the experience. For them, coming back to Waterford Castle had a bit more meaning than simply choosing a nice location. They had married there ten years earlier, and Lauren also has Irish heritage, with the family name Hayes, so returning to Ireland and especially to the castle had that extra connection.

Anniversary Photographs With Their Closest Friends

Their four friends came along for the walk too, which made the whole thing feel more like an evening together than an anniversary session. I photographed each couple, everyone together, the little moments in between, and a few photographs inside the castle at their Presidential Suite. They even ended up with a couple of pints of Guinness in hand, which seemed a fairly appropriate way to finish an Irish anniversary shoot.

By the time we were finished they were heading into dinner at Waterford Castle and my part of the evening was done. One thing I really wanted to do was get the photographs back to them quickly. They were travelling on to Florence in Italy afterwards, so I edited the shoot that night and delivered a gallery of just over 100 photographs the following day.

I liked the idea that after leaving Waterford and landing in Florence, there would be an email waiting in their inbox with the photographs from the evening before. A little memory of Waterford Castle already waiting for them.

For me, this is exactly why I enjoy photographing people this way. Sometimes 90 minutes, a beautiful location, a walk around with friends and a bit of craic is more than enough to tell the whole story. And returning to the place where you were married ten years earlier is a pretty good reason to do it.

Planning a Waterford Castle Wedding or Anniversary Session?

If you are planning a wedding at Waterford Castle, you can read my complete Waterford Castle wedding photography guide. I also photograph anniversary sessions, proposals and relaxed couple portraits throughout Waterford.

You can view my wedding photography packages, explore more of my photography gallery, or get in touch to discuss what you have planned.