This signature board shaped like the number 10, holds snapshots of moments from the couple's decade-long journey. 

When I began creating it, I knew the stakes were high—this was not just another piece for any ordinary anniversary. It was a celebration of love, resilience and family where the collage was meant to be a centerpiece at their destination anniversary dinner with close friends and family. 

 I was determined to make it perfect, even though the odds seemed stacked against me.

The Dress and the Idea

Mrs. Lambert dream, her utmost desire was to wear the same ivory gown she’d worn on her wedding day. While the fabric had aged beautifully, a timeless testament to her love story, the dress no longer fit quite right after two kids and a decade of life.

Luckily for her, I wasn’t just a photographer. My mother had been a seamstress, and I’d grown up with a love for fabric, detail, and transformation. I offered to rework it for her, showing her how the bodice could be restructured into a flattering silhouette. Or maybe even add a modern twist with a longer extended veil. Her eyes lit up as we brainstormed, and before long, the dress was ready to be her perfect anniversary outfit. That moment, I knew this wasn’t just another photo session—it was a gift.

The Quest for the Perfect Park

Valley Stream, New York, is dotted with parks, but finding the perfect one wasn’t easy. I drove her around town, searching for a place that matched her vision. We finally stumbled upon a park with a serene lake surrounded by tall trees—a picture-perfect setting, if not for one glaring issue. The lake was choked with dying water lilies, their brown edges detracting from the otherwise picturesque scene.

“I’ll fix it in post,” I reassured her, masking my doubts with a confident smile. The magic of editing had to save the day because the location otherwise was perfect.

Wind, Kids, and the Challenge of the Day

The day of the shoot arrived with challenges I hadn’t anticipated. Fierce winds whipped through the park, threatening to turn her flowing dress into a parachute. Her baby, adorably curious but impossible to pin down, squirmed at every opportunity. Meanwhile, her older son—energetic and mischievous—had apparently decided that making faces was his new passion.

The scene looked like chaos, and my equipment wasn’t cooperating either. The flash seemed almost laughably slow, failing to capture their faces before someone moved or a gust of wind wreaked havoc on the composition.

Still, I pressed on, adjusting as best as I could. I leaned into the unpredictability, capturing the candid moments: her son making faces, her husband and mom helping with the baby, her laughter when the wind carried her dress just so. These weren’t posed perfection—they were real, raw, and beautiful.

Creating the Signature Board

Back in my studio, I pored over the images selecting each carefully and editing it perfectly, soon the board began to take shape. Each segment of the “10” told a story: including earlier images that I had created previously, maternity, the tender moments between husband and wife, mom attending to her dress, the smiles of their children, and love that had carried them through the years. Even the challenges of the shoot—windblown hair, a squirming baby—added to the authenticity of their story.

The Reveal

When I presented the finished collage, it was sheer delight to see the smiles spreading across their faces. “I was getting worried,” Mr. Lambert whispered, 

“But you captured us,” he said simply. That was all I needed to hear.

A Lasting Memory

As they packed up to prepare for their destination celebration, I felt a swell of pride. Despite the wind, the kids, and every technical hurdle, I had managed to create something timeless. The collage wasn’t just a display piece; it was a testament to their love, their family, and the life they’d built together.

And as I watched him leave, his excitement bubbling over, I knew I’d done more than take pictures. I’d helped preserve a memory—a legacy—that would be with them forever.