As a photographer, I’ve always believed that every picture should tell a story. When it came to my sons’ birthday invitations, I saw them as more than just a simple card with a date and location—I saw them as an opportunity to create something memorable, something that would get kids excited for the party before it even began. Inspired by my idols in photography, I set out to make every invitation a small work of art, infused with creativity, adventure, and a touch of the unexpected.

The Swimming Pool Garden Slide

One year, we planned a birthday party at the swimming pool. I wanted to do something that played with the idea of water but with a surreal twist. That’s when inspiration struck—I could make it look like my son had been launched from a waterslide into a buried underwater tank! We set up a plastic box in the garden, buried it slightly, and positioned a slide so it led straight into it. My son, the birthday boy, took his place on top of the slide, just staring into another dimension. My other son got a role in the picture too… He supposedly dug the hole. It was absurd, funny, and just the kind of thing kids love. The invitations went out, and soon, the anticipation for the party was as high as a cannonball dive off the deep end.

The Sleepover Adventure

When my oldest son wanted a sleepover party, I decided to create an invitation that would capture the magic (and a bit of the mystery) of staying up late with friends. I set up a scene outside near a garage, where my son lay in a sleeping bag on the ground, as if he had dozed off under the stars. But this wasn’t going to be a peaceful night’s sleep—oh no. With the help of some neighbors, we added an eerie twist. One played the role of an old man with a flashlight, searching the shadows. Another, a girl with a lollipop, stood nearby, adding an air of strange innocence to the scene. The result? A birthday invitation that looked like the start of a childhood adventure movie, filled with excitement, mystery, and just the right amount of spooky fun.

Why Do It?

Some might ask why I go to such lengths for a simple birthday invitation. The answer is simple: because storytelling matters. Even in the smallest moments, a great story can spark imagination, create excitement, and turn an ordinary event into something unforgettable. And let’s be honest—seeing the reactions of the invited kids (and their parents) was priceless. These invitations weren’t just cards; they were previews of the fun that awaited.

Looking back, I realize these invitations weren’t just about the birthdays—they were about capturing my sons in moments of pure joy, wrapped in the worlds we created together. And in the end, those memories are the greatest gifts of all.