"A Day In The Life" of The Tombeau-Cost Family | Toronto Documentary Family Session

I photographed this wonderful family back in the summer of 2017, and I’m only just sharing it?

No way! I can’t believe I omitted showing you some of these images, these moments.

Documentary Photography In The Big City: Toronto

I lived in Toronto for much of my life. The city called to me ever since I first visited as a 15-year-old. I went there for uni and stayed there until I was in my thirties.

Countless great memories were made there before I had kids and after.

So now, when a family from Toronto asks me to photograph them, I jump at the chance. Not only is it an occasion for a road trip, which I love, but it also brings me back to the city I love and will always love.

And there’s something completely magical for me about capturing daily life in the big city.

This family’s ‘Day in the Life’ session was one of those magical ones, where we get to showcase the amazing bits of Toronto and how they fit perfectly into their lives.

Starting Indoors With Drawing…

I am so happy we stuck around their home for about twenty minutes before we went outside. The plan had been to go to the beach, via streetcar. But we took a few moments to capture what was already going on. Drawing pictures, petting their precious kitties, and just being comfortable in their own home.

The photograph of Iona drawing is one of my favourites from this day.

The moment of decision.

When her finger hovers above the crayon bin just long enough for her to get thrilled about a certain colour. What colour did she choose, I wonder? For me, this moment is a wondrous one. A little magical snippet of Iona’s childhood.

Iona tries to choose the right colour for her drawing. The small buckets of markers really inspired me to do the same at home with our own jumble of colouring pencils.

Essential Toronto Living: Streetcar + Subway

Of course, a documentary session needs to capture the everyday moments. If every single day of your lives, you hop on the subway, then transfer to the streetcar, to get to your favourite place… then it would be a serious error not to include at least a bit of those moments in the Day In the Life session.

For some families, this is just as obvious as breathing. For other families, this idea is a bit more novel. They’re used to more traditional types of photographs, so capturing simple things like walking down the street seems like… photos you would discard.

I’ve never felt that way about these photographs. I feel they need to be preserved. They tell our stories.

Katherine looks at her family lovingly while riding the streetcar to get to the beach.

The Beach At Sunnyside Park, Toronto

I remember the feeling of summer in the air. The smell of the hot dog carts, and the music blasting from someone’s portable stereo.

Beach, summer, sand, music.

We stopped by the water to throw some rocks and sand into the waves.

I love the photograph of Iona running on the beach, in between layers of sand, water, and sky. Again, we have that feeling of childhood and the limitless joy it can bring.

Ice Cream Treats

A good documentary session almost always includes some kind of eating activity. Because we need to eat to be happy. And ice cream is happiness in a cone!

Capturing Play: Swingsets and Play Structures

When we first learn to swing as children, it is the most freeing feeling in the world. We finally tackle moving our legs in the right way so that we can keep pushing ourselves higher and higher.

It seems like if we push a little harder, we might go ALL the way around. That never happens, of course, but as a child, you always think it might.

We paused at the playground after our ice cream, so that we can enjoy these sweet moments.

Sometimes playing can also lead to tears. Like when you fall down. That’s also important to preserve, because challenges, disappointments, and the comforting hug of a parent is all part of growing up.

And then, of course, you pick yourself back up and try again :)

Iona and her dad enjoy a moment together on the play structures at Sunnyside park, Toronto.

Leaving Is The Hardest Part

When, after all the play and treats, and fun times are done, it can be really difficult to leave.

Even for me as an adult, sometimes it’s hard.

No one wants the good times to end.

We must remind ourselves there will be more good times. We can come back. But still, it’s hard.

She was not sad for long, believe me. That’s yet another thing we learn from children: how to bounce back, and find new joys.

Winding Down At Home

When all is said and done, and all the energy is spent, it’s time for snuggles and some quiet family time. Iona is a good accordion player. She wowed me with her songs.

And I can’t imagine a more wonderful day spent in Toronto, capturing life’s little moments. I thank this family from the bottom of my heart for letting me into their life.

If you’re thinking of capturing a day in your life, write me! Or simply click the box below and I’ll be in touch.

This particular day in the life session took just a little over three hours and was what we call a “mini”. And yet, you can see just how many memories we captured together with this family.

So if you’re on the fence about committing to a full day - please know that we can make these sessions as long or short as feels right for you!

The only thing that sets the tone is what activities you choose to capture on your day.