Here at Verve, we love to celebrate love. Relationships, human connections and their stories. As a result of our couple photoshoots, we are pretty good storytellers.
In this blog, we want to share the true love story behind Valentine’s Day and how it came to be today. For years, we have seen the grand gestures of loved-up couples on this one day of the year. They give each other cards, flowers, and chocolates.
Many call it a consumerism field day created by companies to sell goods, services, or gondola rides. However, did you know that Valentine’s Day actually goes back many, many years ago?
The story of Valentine’s Day has roots that stretch back centuries, long before Hallmark and florists made it a commercial holiday. At its origin, it’s a story of courage, sacrifice, and love that defies all odds.
The most widely told story goes back to the third century AD, during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Believing that married men made poor soldiers as they were too distracted by thoughts of their lovers and families at home, Claudius banned all marriages outright!
But one man, a priest named Valentine, could not stand by and accept such an unjust decree. He secretly continued to marry couples, giving them the chance to celebrate their love even in the rule of the harsh Emperor’s ruling.
When Claudius found out what Valentine was doing, he was enraged. Valentine was arrested, thrown in prison, and then eventually sentenced to death. Yet his bravery and devotion left behind the legacy that we still have today. It still reminds us of the power of love and the risks people are willing to take in its name.
We are all busy people with busy lives, and sometimes you realise that you haven’t spent that much time with your partner at all. Valentine’s Day is the day to pause on all the chaos of life and just spend the whole day with your loved ones. We have some saint we barely hear about anymore, a few hundred centuries ago, to thank for this. But it is a perfect excuse to actually appreciate each other.
You might want to make a card, or maybe pick up some beautiful roses and chocolates. Or even book a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle. Either way, February 14th is a special day, which is why we love having couples book in for a couples photoshoot.
At Verve, we are constantly inspired by the couples that step into our studio. There’s the pair who have spent decades by each other’s sides, still holding hands and laughing.
Then there are the new ones just starting out, full of energy and excitement, discovering something new about each other every day. No two love stories are the same; each relationship has its own beat and rhythm, its own inside jokes, and its own magic.
That’s why we believe a couple photoshoot is about so much more than the pictures. It’s a chance to step away from the noise of daily life, the phones, work, the busy schedules, and just simply enjoy being with each other.
Maybe you’ll dress up for the occasion, maybe giggle more than usual, but more importantly, it’s about capturing those looks and moments that say more than words ever will.
Whatever chapter you’re in right now with each other, your love is worth remembering as it is today. A couple photoshootlets you look back on that feeling, freezing this moment of your journey together that you will treasure forever.
If you’re ready, we’d love to welcome you into our studio at Verve to help tell your story through a beautifully styled couple photoshoot.
Valentine’s Day dates back to ancient Rome and is most often linked to Saint Valentine, a priest who is believed to have secretly married couples at a time when marriage was banned. His actions made him a symbol of love, devotion, and choosing connection even when it wasn’t easy.
Over time, the story of Saint Valentine became closely tied to romantic love, especially during the Middle Ages. Poets and writers began linking the day with courtship and affection, and it gradually evolved into a celebration of romantic relationships.
Not at all. Early celebrations were much quieter and more symbolic. Cards, flowers, and chocolates only became popular much later, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, as Valentine’s Day became more commercial and widely celebrated.
While it’s most commonly associated with couples, Valentine’s Day has grown to celebrate all kinds of love – including friendships, family bonds, and self-love. At its core, it’s really about appreciating the people who matter most to you.
In a busy, fast-moving world, Valentine’s Day offers a moment to slow down and focus on connection. Whether it’s a grand gesture or something simple, the day reminds people to express love intentionally, rather than taking it for granted.