STORY | AMSTERDAM

Two Brothers on the Leidsegracht in Spring

By Aleksandria Rudenko | Published 1 November 2026

Family of four laughing on a canal bridge between parked bikes, the father's arm around both boys, fresh green trees along the water

Early in April, I photographed two brothers on the Leidsegracht: Owen and Leo, with their parents, Kate and Mike. The family had come over from the USA for spring break, the boys’ first trip to Europe. We had one hour for photos with all four of them.

Kate had one wish: a photo with the whole family in it, since she is always the one behind the phone. Vacation visits like theirs are a big part of my family photoshoots in Amsterdam.

Four in a Row on a Canal Bridge

We started at ten past one on a canal bridge, between parked bikes. The trees along the water had just turned a fresh, pale green. After a few smiles straight at the camera, I asked for something sillier. All four held hands and crossed the bridge in one long line, with the biggest steps they could make. Leo, the younger one, took his job very seriously.

Parents and their two boys crossing a brick bridge hand in hand in one long line, gabled houses, an arched bridge and a church spire behind — Across the bridge, a quarter past one

Two Brothers, Two Portraits

Next, the boys had a few minutes of their own. Owen, the older one, wrapped his little brother in a hug. Then Leo leaned back against him while Owen crossed his arms, like the cover of a band’s first album.

Two brothers hugging by a canal railing, the younger in a red sweater grinning at the camera and the older in a blue checked shirt

Younger boy leaning back against his big brother, who stands with his arms crossed between two black bikes with crates on a canal bridge

After that, each of the two brothers had a portrait by the Leidsegracht. Owen wore a blue checked shirt, and Leo a red sweater. Both grinned before I even asked.

Older of the two brothers in a blue checked shirt smiling by the Leidsegracht, dark canal houses and spring trees soft behind him

Younger of the two brothers in a red quarter-zip sweater and khaki pants, hands in his pockets and a wide grin by the dark water

Young kids need a change of scene every few minutes, even on vacation. So I kept the two brothers and their parents moving along the Leidsegracht. On the quay, all four threw their arms in the air. Then I crossed to the other side for one wide frame, just as a small tour boat slid past.

Family throwing their arms in the air on a canal-side quay, the boys in front of their parents on a cloudy spring afternoon in Amsterdam

Family standing small on the far quay below tall, dark canal houses as a little tour boat passes, an Amsterdam spring afternoon

Brothers on a Bench by the Leidsegracht

A bench gave the boys a short break. Leo rested his head against Owen, and a minute later he sat on the backrest all by himself, grinning from ear to ear.

Two brothers sitting on a wooden bench by the canal, the younger resting his head against the older one, brick canal houses behind them

Smiling younger boy perched on the backrest of a canal-side bench in Amsterdam, an arched bridge and gabled houses blurred behind him in spring

At twenty to two, we found a white canal house with the number 37 by the door. The whole family climbed its stoop. Afterward, they walked on hand in hand, down a street of stone steps and iron railings.

Family on the stone stoop of a white canal house with number 37 beside the dark green door, an iron railing and a lantern next to them

Parents and two brothers walking hand in hand down a brick street lined with stoops and iron railings, all four of them laughing

One Big Hug

Halfway down that street, I asked for one big hug. Mike pulled everyone in, Leo squeezed his brother, and Kate laughed so hard she could hardly look at me. Right after, Owen gave me his most grown-up portrait of the day.

Big family hug in front of a white canal house, the father wrapping both boys in his arms while the mother laughs at his shoulder

Close portrait of the older boy in a blue checked shirt with a calm half smile, a white facade and dark green leaves soft behind him

Last Frames on a Wider Canal

We ended on a bridge over a wider canal, lined with white stone houses. The four of them raised their joined hands like a team after a win, and then the brothers stood together one last time.

Parents and boys raising their joined hands on a bridge over a wide Amsterdam canal lined with white stone houses and spring trees

Two brothers standing close at the green iron railing of a canal bridge, the younger leaning into the older, boats moored along the quay — On the last bridge, five to two

Next, it was Kate and Mike’s turn, close and laughing, while the wind played with her hair. Of course, Leo did not want to miss out, so Kate lifted him up and held him tight.

Husband and wife laughing cheek to cheek on a canal bridge, her long blond hair blowing across her navy dress with big flowers

Mother laughing with her face against her younger son's as she holds him close, his red sweater bright against her floral dress

The very last frames were for Kate alone. She takes every vacation photo of the family, so after this trip she finally has a few of herself.

Mother in a navy dress with big red flowers laughing at a bridge railing, a row of gabled canal houses soft behind her in the last frame — Gabled houses by the bridge, just after two

Wondering what to wear for your own session? My guide on what to wear for family photos covers colors that go together, clothes that move and shoes for a short walk.

Planning a family trip of your own? Discover how my family photoshoots in Amsterdam work.