A photographer and her family from Loire-Atlantique, France, have achieved a remarkable milestone by taking their 100th monthly family portrait on the same red leather couch. Bénédicte Lacroix, a photographer based in Clisson, started this heartwarming tradition in August 2017 with her husband Vincent and has maintained it for over eight years, capturing precious moments of their growing family.
The tradition began just five days after the birth of their first child, Matthieu, in August 2017. At the time, Bénédicte was not yet a professional photographer but had always been passionate about photography. "I wasn't a professional photographer at the time, but I really loved that field. I always had the responsibility of taking photos during family gatherings. So I was never in them. There, I wanted a real family photo where I was present. I also wanted to prepare a birth book for my son," Lacroix explained.
The iconic red leather couch became the centerpiece of their monthly ritual somewhat by accident. The house was under renovation when they took the first photo, so they simply positioned themselves where there was space available. "It's very ugly and especially old. It's my age, I have photos of myself as a child on it!" Lacroix laughs about the well-worn piece of furniture that has become central to their family story.
What started as a typical first-year baby documentation project evolved into something much more meaningful. "Actually, it's rather by chance that we started. I know that it's done a lot over twelve months, the child's first year. And after, I wondered why stop," she reflected. The family established a routine of taking the photo on the first Wednesday of each month or on weekends, depending on the children's availability.
One of the most significant moments captured in their collection was the announcement of their second pregnancy. In the 22nd photo, young Matthieu can be seen holding an ultrasound image. "We're used to sending these photos to our parents each time. On the 22nd one, Matthieu holds the ultrasound. It was by giving this photo in person that we announced they would be grandparents!" The couple's second son, Noé, joined the monthly tradition in 2019, adding another dimension to their growing family portrait collection.
The family maintained a flexible approach to their monthly photos, prioritizing the children's comfort over rigid structure. "We had set ourselves a rule: we didn't want constraints for the children. They can dress however they want, stand behind the couch if they feel like it, take a toy with them... It's also like that that we see the evolution of their passions," Bénédicte noted. The photos document not just physical growth but also changing interests, from Paw Patrol toys to Lego sets featuring Charlie Dalin's boat from the Vendée Globe, reflecting Matthieu's interests at different stages.
Reaching the 100th photograph in November 2025 brought a wave of nostalgia and reflection for the family. Now 39 years old, Bénédicte and Vincent have watched not only their children grow but have also witnessed their own aging process. "I thought we would see the children grow. Finally, I also saw us age. It's crazy to have so many lives in eight years. We would have forgotten a lot of things without this. It's a little piece of our history," she observed.
The evolution captured in these photos goes beyond simple physical changes. The images document milestone moments like first lost teeth and the appearance of glasses, creating a comprehensive visual diary of family life. "We would have forgotten a lot of things without this," Lacroix emphasized, highlighting how the project has preserved memories that might otherwise have faded.
This extensive collection serves as a precious legacy for their two children, currently aged 8 and 6. "We never have enough photos with our parents. I notice it myself," Bénédicte reflects. "When they grow up, they'll have this little treasure." The family has created both digital and physical versions of their collection, with all 100 photos printed and displayed as magnets on a board in their home.
As for the future of their monthly tradition, the family remains open-ended about when it might conclude. "My son wants us to continue until the thousandth... I calculated, we'll be dead," Lacroix jokes, noting that she and her husband are now 39 years old. "We'll stop when it becomes a constraint. The children will leave the house, they might not want to do it anymore... It will stop when it stops." For now, this unique family tradition continues, creating an ongoing visual narrative that captures the beautiful, ordinary moments that make up a family's life together.
