"How It Started vs. How It's Going": How to Recreate Your Old Couple Photos
Try the "how it started vs how it's going" couples trend. How to recreate old couple photos, 20 photo ideas, nostalgia tips from the 2016 trend, and how to save them.
You're scrolling through your camera roll looking for a receipt screenshot, and suddenly there it is: the two of you in 2018. Questionable haircut. Very bright filter. That jacket you swore you'd never throw away (you threw it away).
Five minutes later, you're both on the couch, laughing at every photo from your first year.
That feeling is exactly why "how it started vs. how it's going" posts keep coming back. And in 2026, nostalgia is everywhere — the "2026 is the new 2016" trend has people sharing old filters, playlists, and photos from a decade ago.
This guide shows you how to recreate your old couple photos, gives 20 ideas, and explains how to turn the trend into something more meaningful than one post. (If you'd rather keep your photos private, the shared timeline in the My Love app is made for that.)
What Is the "How It Started vs. How It's Going" Trend?
It's a side-by-side comparison of where your relationship began and where it is now. The format is simple: one early photo ("how it started") next to a recent one ("how it's going"). Some couples add a middle photo for a hard season or a big change.
The trend gets a fresh wave of attention every year, and 2026 gave it an extra push. Starting in late December 2025, the "2026 is the new 2016" trend spread on TikTok and Instagram, with people sharing old filters, bright selfies, and memories from a decade earlier (Wikipedia).
For couples, that nostalgia has an obvious outlet: the photos of the two of you from back then.
Why Couples Love Recreating Old Photos
- It's funny. Old hair, old fashion, old phones — instant laughs.
- It's sweet. Seeing how far you've come together is quietly moving.
- It sparks memories. Every photo comes with a story you'd forgotten.
- It's free. A phone, some old clothes, maybe a tripod.
- It's a great anniversary idea. Recreate one photo each year for a running series.
Looking back together can also be a nice way to talk about how your relationship has changed. Our guide to the stages of a relationship pairs well with this.
How to Recreate Old Couple Photos: Step by Step
- Dig through your photos together. Make it a cozy night. The process is half the fun.
- Pick one photo that matters. First date, first trip, first apartment — or just the funniest one.
- Go back to the same place if you can. If not, fake the background at home.
- Match the outfits. Use the original clothes if you still have them, or find something close.
- Copy the pose exactly. Pull the old photo up on a second phone to check.
- Match the angle and framing. Same height, same distance, same lean.
- Recreate the details. The drink in your hand, the hat, the awkward smile.
- Take a lot of shots. Getting it right takes more tries than you think.
- Edit to match. Try a retro filter or the same brightness for the full effect.
- Put them side by side. Post them, print them, or save them privately.
20 "How It Started" Couple Photo Ideas
Classic Firsts
- Your first photo together, ever.
- Your first date spot — see first date ideas for nostalgia fuel.
- Your first trip together.
- Your first holiday or family event as a couple.
- Moving day into your first home.
Funny and Awkward
- The most awkward selfie from your early days.
- Your worst haircut era.
- A photo with a 2016-style puppy-dog or flower-crown filter.
- That time one of you fell asleep in the car.
- Your best (or worst) couples costume.
Sweet Milestones
- The day you got a pet together.
- Your engagement photo, recreated years later.
- Your first kiss spot (if you know it).
- Holding hands on the same bench or beach.
- A photo from a friend's wedding you attended early on.
At-Home Recreations
- The two of you cooking your first meal together.
- Same couch, same blanket, years later.
- Watching your first movie together again.
- Your first photo in your first apartment's kitchen.
- A mirror selfie in the same pose.
Then and Now Photo Ideas by Relationship Stage
| Relationship length | Idea |
|---|---|
| Under 1 year | First date vs. recent date in the same spot |
| 1–3 years | First trip vs. latest trip |
| 3–10 years | First apartment vs. current home |
| 10+ years | Wedding or early photo vs. now, same pose |
| Any length | First selfie vs. a selfie today |
Should You Post It or Keep It Private?
Both are great. It's your relationship, your call. Some couples love sharing; others prefer to keep their story just between them.
- Post it if you both enjoy sharing and are happy with the photos.
- Keep it private if one of you prefers privacy — always ask before posting.
- Do both: share one, save the full collection privately.
A private shared memory timeline is a good home for your full set. You can add the original date to each photo, so it becomes a record of your story, not just a post.
Turn the Trend Into a Yearly Tradition
- Recreate the same photo every anniversary.
- Make a printed photo book of your "then and nows" — a great paper gift for a first anniversary. See anniversary gifts by year.
- Celebrate smaller milestones too — first trip, first apartment. See milestones worth celebrating beyond anniversaries.
- Add a short note to each pair: what you remember, what's changed.
Find more ideas for couples on the My Love blog.
Conclusion
Recreating old photos is silly, sweet, and a reminder of everything you've built together — haircuts and all.
Pick one photo this weekend and give it a go. To keep your then-and-nows in one private place, download My Love on the App Store. Curious how the timeline works? The My Love FAQ explains it.
