Mini Day in the Life of a Boy on His Birthday | Soren Turns Two in Newburgh, Ontario!

This little cutie called Soren - It’s not the first time I’ve photographed him and his family.

The first time was for his first birthday, and we went for a stroll around the Woollen Mill in Kingston. If you’re curious to see how much he’s grown, check out the blog from a year ago :)

So here he is, turning two!

When Sandee (Soren’s mom) and I chatted about capturing his birthday, she suggested that it would be super meaningful to have it at her mother’s house in Newburgh.

This is because her mother was in the process of selling the house in order to downsize and be closer to her daughter in Kingston.

The entire family was going through a grieving process of sorts.

This was Sandee’s childhood home.

So many memories were lived and captured there.

So it was only fitting that we would be photographing it one last time, as her own son celebrated turning two.

I met them in Newburgh on a beautiful sunny day in June.

Soren was at the age where toddlers are both curious and a little bit shy.

The first photographs we took are of him clinging to mom’s leg, which is completely expected at this age <3 And also adorable. Because even though it might frustrate you at the time, it’s so nice to be wanted like this. You’ll only realize this when your kids are teenagers, though, haha.

[putting on my parenting scientist hat…] These attachment behaviours are completely normal and desirable in children at this age. What we call “clingy” is actually our children showing that they trust us to be their secure “base” when new people or things happen. So if a stranger (i.e. photographer) enters your house, mom’s the secure base. Children who do not exhibit these behaviours are actually the ones that have problems adjusting later on. Anyway… let’s talk more about photography :P

Here are a couple of black and white images of Soren with mom and dad. As you can tell, he is quickly starting to warm up to this new lady in the room. Just wait - it’s only about five more seconds before he is in full-out play and be-silly mode!

That’s literally how quickly little kiddos adjust to new things, as long as they feel safe.

See what I mean? It took mere seconds for this little sweetie to warm up to the idea.

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Now let’s contrast this with my own story…

I was turning 2, and my parents hired an old male photographer who lived in our apartment building back in Bulgaria. He had a peg leg that squeaked when he walked. He had a crooked and slightly creepy smile. And he didn’t exactly try to make me feel comfortable. So I cried. Like, the whole time. All my birthday photos are crying photos, because I was so scared of him, despite sitting on my parents’ laps the whole time.

I’m just saying, a little effort goes a long way.

And if I did have a prosthetic leg, I’d make sure to keep on working hard to make kiddos comfortable by getting down on their level and smiling big, being silly, and in general - making a fool of myself so they know I’m not a threat :)

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We decided to head to the nearby park to burn off some energy. Soren loved going on the swing! (did your kids love going on swings? I have a memory of my daughter at age like… 6 months, completely loving being in there, despite barely even being able to sit!)

In all the photographs I capture, I always try to keep in mind family dynamics.

Who is smiling at whom?

Where’s the hugs happening? Where’s the glee?

Where’s the obvious joy?

And if there are tears, who is doing the comforting?

These family dynamics are so important to photograph, because they underpin all those loving relationships we have in our families.

All those moments meld into one when we think about a beloved grandparent, for example.

And being able to look back on many small instances where an exchange of love happened…. that seems to be the best way to honour these relationships. To understand why these beloved people are so foundational in our lives.

Soren is sad to leave the park in Newburgh. Swings are just too much fun.

Yes, moments like that might be sad to revisit in the few days after they happen. But in a year or two, or a decade, they become so interesting. We try to remember exactly what happened. Why was Soren crying? (because he didn’t want to leave the park, surprise! haha. What kiddo wants to leave the park?)

This was one of the most difficult things EVER for my own kids, particularly my oldest son. He would throw fits even when we gave him the 5 minute-warning and the 1-minute warning….

Cause no one wants a great thing to end, it’s totally normal.

Luckily, tears don’t last long at this age either! :)

Look how happy Soren is to be back at Grandma’s, in the back yard, opening some presents, and enjoying a little snack.

mom and dad get to enjoy a moment of peace while Soren explores his birthday gifts

It was the perfect afternoon for a birthday celebration. Soren opened his gifts, ate a cupcake, and played with a big beach ball. And we also obviously made a little time to go to the park.

All in a single mini “Day in the Life” session.

Isn’t it amazing how many moments happen in a single hour, if you’re paying attention to them?

The problem is, we often have a hard time retaining all those memories. Because life flies on, offering up new adventures, new moments…

And this is why it’s my life’s work to capture these fleeting moments for people.

Because one day you will pore over each and every one lovingly. Remembering each little detail.

Soren enjoys the company of his grandma’s doggie.

There are also a couple of photographs that are my personal favourites, in addition to all the cute family dynamics we captured. I’ll show you them and go over just why I love each one :)

Soren and puppy wearing matching expressions?

Here is one of them. I’m not exactly sure if they are actually matching expressions, but there is something curious about this photograph. It looks like two little ones about to conspire to do something mischievous. I’m probably reading too much into it, but it is one of my faves.

Dad and Soren take a drink on a hot summer day.

This one is probably even more self-explanatory, but I like it because there is great mirroring here. Little dude is doing exactly what dad is doing, though it was not planned at all. Or posed.

That’s the glory of documentary (candid) photography. No one needs to pose or look unnatural. It all just happens and moments are captured of interesting everyday things.

Because our lives are extraordinary, even in their ordinary moments.