Through My Son's Lens Part 1

As a parent, you spend a lot of time wondering what makes your kids come alive.

My son (11 yrs old) has always seen the world a little differently. He has struggled with stress and anxiety for the majority of his life, so it’s been heartbreaking. I’m daily searching for things to make him smile. One thing has become clear: he experiences the world with incredible depth and it’s something I admire in him.

As a homeschooler, I have a tendency to turn almost everything into a learning opportunity. So when I had a hunch that photography might spark something in him, I didn’t want to just hand him my camera and say, “Go for it.” He wouldn’t even know where to start.. because he thrives on step by step instruction.

So I created a scavenger hunt.

I printed out a list of things for him to find and photograph—textures, colors, reflections, shadows, a bird, a flower, etc. I told him that if he completed the list, we’d go to Dollar Tree so he could pick out a treat, which he was excited about.

The task immediately gave him purpose.

But when he started clicking the shutter, the checklist slowly became less important.

He began noticing the way sunlight filtered through leaves. Tiny flowers growing through cracks in the sidewalk, reflections across the water. He wasn’t just taking pictures—he was truly seeing the little things around him!

Watching him discover that was priceless. And when we finished the checklist, I asked him if he was ready to go to Dollar Tree for his reward; his response: "Oh yeah, I completely forgot about that.” 😆

Watching my son photograph the world has been one of the most precious experiences of my life.

Now, once a week, we pack up my Canon R50 and head out together for some random shooting.

Every time we set out it seems to pull a little more confidence out of him. The genuine smile that spreads across his face when he captures a photo he’s proud of is something I absolutely cherish.

When he figures out a new photography concept—whether it’s aperture, shutter speed, or how changing the light transforms an image—his excitement is beautiful. His eyes light up in a way I don’t always get to see.

Photography has become so much more than a creative outlet. It has become our shared language. It’s given us uninterrupted time together, meaningful conversations, quiet moments, and memories I’ll treasure long after he has his own camera and no longer needs to borrow mine.

Photography has blessed my life in more ways than I ever imagined. Not only because it allows me to capture beautiful moments for others, but because it unexpectedly gave me a new way to connect with my own son. 🥹