When I think about how much my Eldest has grown, it’s not just the way he's GROWN taller by the day or how his curiosity for the world around him deepens—it’s in the way he’s picked up a camera and how he documents the world around him through his eyes.


Over the last two or so years while I’ve been chasing my passion and pouring my heart into Brae and Co Photography, he’s been quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) growing his love for photography right alongside me. In a digital age, somehow he has found a little happy place in the old-school art of analog photography.


Maybe it’s because film has always had a special place in my heart, too. Before having my second baby, I worked part-time in a Camera Store + Film Lab to help support my family. It wasn’t just about making ends meet—it was about immersing myself in a craft I’ve always loved since high school. There’s a beauty in film that feels so different from digital photography. The texture, the imperfections, the way it forces you to slow down and be intentional—it’s an art form in itself... there was always something so mystical yet exciting of what actually would come out from your latest roll. Working in the lab has given me the chance to meet so many incredible people, from hobbyists taking their first steps in film to seasoned photographers keeping the tradition alive. It was more than a job; it was an opportunity to share knowledge, to connect, and to help others discover the magic of film for themselves. Even somedays while I'm on maternity leave, I find myself popping in just to scan a roll here or there because it really is more than work to me.


And he pops by too! After school his dad would bring him by the shop, he'd pick up and put on his gloves, and sit at the scanner with me and tell me how to scan all these rolls of film. Seeing that same love of photography blossom in my son - it's the most unexpected, wonderful thing. He'll experiment with different cameras, tell stories, and bring his own vision to life - it reminds me why I fell in love with this craft in the first place.


Over the school holidays, vlogging has become his latest obsession. He’ll spend hours setting up marble runs just to capture the perfect track completion, or document his latest ‘stunt’—which, let’s be honest, is often just an enthusiastic back roll—but the dedication is there! While digital storytelling is his current focus, his love for film photography is something truly special. There’s something truly special about the process—the patience, the anticipation, the excitement of waiting to see the final image—that has completely drawn him in. He always asks to head down to the river with our film cameras in hand, eager to capture the waterfall, each other, or the soft glow of the afternoon light reflecting on the water. It’s our happy place, doing what we love most together.


Photography, to me, has always been about more than just taking pictures. It’s about storytelling, connection, and preserving the little moments that make life so rich. And now, I get to experience that through my son’s eyes, too. Will my daughter share this same love? Who knows? Maybe we’ll all be developing rolls of film side by side in the future.

Down at the river getting our feet wet and holding onto our cameras for dear life! We've only had one camera funeral here!

Documenting his school scavenger hunt - maybe he'll be the yearbook photographer?

One of our fun outings - took a Mamiya Press out to capture some architectural photos together. Results? Horrid! There's a reason I do portraits!

We love a good drone selfie ❤️