Nico & Leandi: Little Steps, Golden Light & New Beginnings in Tokai

One family member had just started walking. Another was about to cut off his dreads. Clearly, there were a few things worth photographing before anything else changed.

So, with Nico, Leandi and their little boy, we headed into the pines in Tokai, hoping to catch that golden light.

I’d never photographed there before. Nothing like chasing golden hour in a place you’re still getting to know. You arrive with a camera, a plan, and a fairly optimistic relationship with the sun.

Thankfully, there was plenty to work with. Tall trunks, pine needles underfoot, and sunlight finding its way between the trees. The sort of place where you look in one direction, then another, and immediately start mentally extending the shoot.

A Few Things Before They Change

I first met Nico at a music festival. Now I was photographing him with Leandi and their son, documenting a very different kind of adventure.

Nico was planning to cut his dreads, marking a new start. This session was a chance to capture him with them before that change, together with his family as they were right then.

And the smallest member of the family? He’d recently discovered that his legs could take him places.

Quite a development when you’re small and the forest is enormous.

Small Feet, Big Plans

There’s something lovely about photographing a child who has just started walking. Those little steps are still a new achievement. For the adults, it’s a milestone. For the person doing the walking, there’s presumably somewhere very important to be.

We caught those wonderful frames of him out in front, with Nico behind him. A little room to explore, and someone close by.

Then there’s the photograph of him heading back towards Dad. Small figure, big trees, open arms.

That one says plenty on its own.

Of course, being newly mobile doesn’t mean giving up a perfectly good cuddle.

The photographs with Leandi bring a softer pause to the gallery. Her little boy tucked into her shoulder, her smile catching the light. You don’t need everyone looking at the camera for a photograph to hold your attention.

Sometimes the back of a little head, pressed against Mom, does the job beautifully.

A Pinwheel Enters the Picture

Among the pines, the blanket and the family portraits, there was also a colourful pinwheel.

And honestly, look at that face.

I’m there thinking about light and composition. He’s holding something colourful on a stick. A fairly strong competing attraction.

These little details belong in the story too. The toys on the blanket. The checked shirt.

The expression that lasts just long enough for a photograph before something else becomes more interesting.

We also made room for photographs of Nico and Leandi together. I like having those quieter portraits alongside the family ones, giving each connection a little space in the finished collection.

Looking through these photographs, I keep coming back to why they wanted the session in the first place. Their son had just started walking. Nico’s dreads were still there. A few details of family life were about to change, and they wanted something to remember this stage by.

That’s a good reason to get everyone in the frame.

Nico and Leandi, thank you for trusting me to capture this little chapter for your family. From a music festival introduction to family photographs among the Tokai pines, it was lovely to see where life had taken you.

We went looking for golden light. I’m glad we caught those little steps too.

Have a little milestone of your own coming up? Newly walking feet, a changing family, or simply time for photographs together. Get in touch through www.leonvaneeden.com, and let’s capture this chapter.