The Essentials
SOPHIE VAN DER PERRE's Way
Introducing Sophie van der Perre, a photographer based between Amsterdam and Paris. With work, travel, and motherhood naturally intertwined, she’s learned to slow down and find meaning in the quiet, everyday moments, the small rituals that make her family life feel grounded and connected.
Between shoots, school runs, and time spent outdoors, Sophie finds beauty in the in-between, the gentle rhythm of daily life and the curiosity that comes with seeing the world through her daughter Hazel’s eyes.
For Sophie, it’s about staying present, embracing simplicity, and finding joy in the moments that often go unnoticed.
“Lately she’s become obsessed with books. She’ll grab one and climb onto our lap, waiting for us to read. Sometimes it’s the same story over and over. I love how excited she gets from us reading it to her."
Simple Play?
“Just down the street there’s a big open park where we go to play, Hazel with her dad, me watching them from the blanket. It’s just grass and sky, but she feels completely free there. I love seeing her explore without limits, inspecting a leaf for minutes. It reminds me how little you need for joy, just time together and space to breathe.”
“We go to the zoo often. Hazel loves watching the animals, but she’s just as fascinated by other children — how they move, laugh, and explore. She observes everything with this quiet curiosity that feels so pure. These little outings have become our family ritual - a way to spend time outside, and when we come back she always sleeps so well.”
“My favourite Gray Label piece is the soft knit cardigan Hazel wears in most of these photos. It’s warm, timeless, and fits into every setting- the park, the kitchen, the zoo. She feels comfortable and free in it, and the colors look good on her”
"We recently got her a learning tower, a Montessori-inspired piece that lets her stand beside me while I cook. She stirs with a wooden spoon or just watches. When she’s not in the kitchen, it becomes her little desk. It even has a slide, which she absolutely loves. She’s a real tomboy girlie, climbing, sliding, laughing, turning it into her little adventure spot. I love how something so simple can invite both independence and joy."
"To keep things simple, we rotate her toys between two boxes, one in the living room, one in her room. Every few weeks we swap them, and suddenly it all feels new again. It keeps her curious without overwhelming her. It’s such a small thing, but it works, and reminds me that less truly is more."
