For nearly ten years, a couple residing in north London has commemorated the start of the school year with playful photos taken on their doorstep, highlighting the return of their two sons to school.
Comedian Tom Price and his spouse, writer Beth Morrey, initiated this quirky tradition with a simple photo featuring a bottle of wine and some beer. Over time, it has evolved into more elaborate scenes, featuring themes ranging from hot tubs to golf clubs, which friends and family now eagerly anticipate.
Price mentioned that the images captured at their Islington home resonated with many working parents who shared a sense of relief as the summer break ended.
In an interview with BBC London, he explained, “Eight years ago, we spotted an emerging trend where parents were sharing pictures of their children on the doorstep on Facebook. While those photos were delightful, we felt there was an untold story behind the camera, often involving the smiling parents.”
He recalled that their first back-to-school photo was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) and gained widespread attention.
“It’s tapped into something relatable for parents who are balancing childcare with work during the summer months,” Price remarked.
“In today’s world of over-involved parenting, there’s a pressure to keep kids engaged. You have to put on an impressive show for them,” he added.
“For both Beth and me, the relief and happiness stem from knowing our children are returning to their friends and getting back into school.”
When asked how their sons, aged nine and 13, feel about this annual ritual, the comedian noted they would likely respond with eye rolls while brainstorming photo ideas.
“We always tell them, ‘No, we’re not celebrating your departure; we’ll really miss you. What we’re celebrating is the education you’re receiving, which is incredibly important to us,'” he explained. “I think they see straight through that, but it’s the line we stick to.”
Even though they promise each year to put an end to the tradition, Price confessed they would likely continue until their youngest son finishes school, especially as his comic friends—such as Robert Webb and David Gorman—have been increasingly inventive with their photo ideas.
