Soulful London Family Photographer | MY SIDEKICK

Family

7 Sept

Written By

The Unexpected Six Months Together

September 2020 was a strange time for us all. The world had shifted, routines had disappeared, and for six months, this little guy became my full-time sidekick. Today, he’s returning to school, and honestly, it feels surreal. The days blurred together, and at some point, we just stopped counting the weeks.

I know he’s feeling apprehensive about going back—so much has changed. But I also know that, like all things, this transition will ease, and soon, school will feel familiar again.

He told me he’d prefer to be homeschooled—but that he’d also miss his friends. If he could have it his way, he’d have both. And while I love our time together, I’m not quite sure full-time homeschooling would be for me! Still, these past months have given me something I wouldn’t trade: a deeper connection, a glimpse into his world, and the chance to witness his creativity flourish.

Seeing Creativity in a Different Way

One of my favourite things during this time has been watching him become creative in ways beyond just drawing or painting.

He’s always loved art—it comes naturally to him. But creativity isn’t just about producing something visual. It’s about ideas, problem-solving, seeing things differently. I’ve loved helping him recognize that in himself.

For me, creativity is woven into everyday life—it’s in how we approach challenges, how we adapt to change, and how we express ourselves beyond words. In the moments I captured of him playing in the garden, drenched in water, lost in thought, I saw that creativity shining through—his world, his way, completely in the moment.

Why These Moments Matter

As a London family photographer, I’ve spent years capturing moments like these for other families—the in-between, unposed, completely real moments that mean everything. But this time, it was my own child in front of the camera, and it reminded me why I do this.

Time moves quickly. One day, these moments will be all we have to look back on.

Spending so much time together these past six months reminded me of something important—kids have a way of teaching us things when we least expect it. If you’ve ever stopped to listen, you’ll know what I mean. I wrote about some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from kids here: Unlocking the Wisdom of Kids.

Beyond nostalgia, research has shown that looking at childhood photos can help children develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. Psychologists suggest that seeing themselves in images—especially with loved ones—reinforces their place in the world and strengthens emotional connections over time.

I’ll miss having him around all day, but I’m grateful for what this time gave us—a pause, a chance to see things differently, and the reminder that even in chaos, there’s beauty.