Parents gave their toddler a disposable camera to capture his 'favorite things' — they were touched to see the same cute face in every photo
Sometimes the smallest moments reveal the deepest kind of love. One family discovered this after giving their toddler a disposable camera and asking him to photograph the things he liked most. When the pictures were developed, they realized almost every photo focused on the same subject. The wholesome video was shared by @hdbrosriley on TikTok on Friday, January 16, 2026. What seemed like a simple activity turned into a quiet reminder of how children see comfort and joy in the people and animals closest to them.
@hdbrosriley We told him to take pictures of his favorite things ❤️ #goldenretriever #toddler ♬ Amsterdam - Gregory Alan Isakov
The video’s caption read, “We told him to take pictures of his favorite things,” a simple task that the child was assigned. It began with clips of the toddler carefully holding the small camera, proudly pressing the button as he aimed it at the two sweet faces of his dogs, then giving a gentle smile after the accomplishment. On-screen text hinted, “I found these pictures on my toddler’s camera,” adding context to the sweet discovery. The first moments showed him taking photos of two calm dogs standing together, followed by another shot of a Golden Retriever posing alone. The child appeared focused but not serious, smiling each time he took a picture, treating the task like a fun and important job, which made the moment even more touching for viewers.
The video then revealed the collection that included close-ups of a dog’s face, two dogs standing side by side, one sleeping peacefully, and another taken from inches away. There were playful shots too, including a single paw, dogs walking through the house, and three Golden Retrievers gathered in one frame. One photo even showed the father hugging one of the dogs, while another captured a dog sitting near a baby. Viewers were moved by how clearly the toddler’s love for dogs showed through each image. The video gained over 1.3 million views in just over a week, with many commenting on how sweet it was to see the world through a child’s eyes. @ruthiefisher6 remarked, "Naturally, we photograph what we love." @sortaskylar97 mentioned, "Crying, knowing some day he’s going to look at these pictures and remember the love he had for his first dogs." @pretty.angel.baby recounted, "I used to do the same with my Golden Retriever growing up. She passed about six years ago, but I still love coming across the pictures of my sweet baby."
While @murky.skye exclaimed, “Pets and other animals are so important for kids’ development,” a recent study also emphasized this with strong scientific support. Research by the National Library of Medicine found that children who grow up with dogs show fewer emotional difficulties and are more likely to be socially active. The study also noted that activities like walking and playing with pets helped children build routine and responsibility. Researchers observed that these everyday interactions supported overall social-emotional development.
For more wholesome content, follow @hdbrosriley on TikTok.