STORY | AMSTERDAM

An Anniversary Gift for Her Parents

By Aleksandria Rudenko | Updated 27 October 2026

Family of five cheering with arms raised on a canal bridge for the anniversary of the parents, a terrier lying at their feet

A daughter was looking for something special for her parents’ wedding anniversary. Her anniversary gift for her parents became a spring walk along the canals with the whole family, their terrier included.

She came across my work online and liked its warmth. When she saw that I offer a digital photoshoot gift card, her mind was made up.

This is what my family photoshoots in Amsterdam look like: I plan the route and share outfit ideas, so the family only has to show up.

A Gift for Her Parents’ Anniversary

The family lives in Amsterdam, so they already knew the city well. Still, I mapped out a route along the canals and over a few iron bridges, with the spring light in mind.

I also sent outfit ideas, and they arrived in colors that went together: navy, white, denim and a rust suede jacket. Then all five stood in a row on a bridge, bikes beside them and the dog at their feet.

Family of five and their terrier lined up by bicycles on a canal bridge in spring, trees in fresh leaf behind them

Family in a close group hug laughing on an anniversary walk for the parents, the father holding the dog in the sunlight

Five of Them and a Terrier

After that, we simply walked. The mother led the dog, the others followed, and the conversation never stopped. A terrier on a walk is never still, so I kept the dog in view the whole time.

On one bridge they cheered with their arms in the air, and the father even lifted a leg. Meanwhile, the dog lay down, completely unimpressed. That frame opens this story.

Family walking together down a canal street in spring, the mother leading the terrier on its lead in front

Family walking along a bridge railing toward the camera, their shaggy terrier trotting out in front of them

Family a moment later on the same bridge, the terrier pulling ahead as the parents walk side by side on their anniversary

Row of legs and shoes on a canal bridge, white trousers, tan boots and jeans, the terrier sitting in the middle with its tongue out — Five pairs of shoes and one terrier

Everyone in Their Own Frame

Between the group photos, I gave everyone a moment alone. The father smiled by the railing, and the mother leaned on it, relaxed. One daughter stood with her hands in her pockets as a tour boat passed. Her sister leaned on a lamp post in a white jumpsuit.

The son took his turn on an arched bridge. And yes, the terrier got a close-up too, tongue out.

Father in a navy zip jumper smiling by the canal railing on a sunny spring day, green trees behind him

Mother in a rust suede jacket leaning on the canal railing, relaxed and smiling, the water and green trees behind her

Daughter in a navy blouse and wide jeans with her hands in her pockets as a tour boat passes on the canal

Daughter in a white utility jumpsuit and tan boots leaning against a lamp post by the canal in spring

Son in a black polo and white trousers standing alone on an arched canal bridge, smiling at the camera

Close-up of a shaggy terrier with its tongue out, a hand resting on its back during the family walk by the canal

Her Parents on Their Anniversary

Of course, this anniversary gift for her parents was really about the two of them. So they sat together on the railing above the water, with canal boats behind them. For a moment, the others stepped back.

Then it was the children’s turn: all three arm in arm by the canal, laughing.

Parents sitting together on the canal railing on their wedding anniversary, canal boats moored behind them — The parents, on their wedding anniversary

Three grown children laughing arm in arm by the canal, an afternoon given as a gift for the anniversary of their parents

Already Planning the Winter

We ended with the whole family together again. First they sat on the edge of a canal. Then they gathered on the steps of a canal house beside yellow flowers, the dog on the bottom step.

When we said goodbye, they were already talking about a next session during the winter holidays. For an anniversary gift, I can’t think of a better compliment.

Family sitting together on the edge of a canal seen across the water, brick canal houses rising behind them

Family on the steps of a canal house by yellow flowers after an anniversary walk for the parents, the terrier below

Celebrating something as a family? Discover how my family photoshoots in Amsterdam work.