I recently had the honor of photographing the first birthday party/ Tol of Lucas. A Tol is a special celebration held when a Korean baby turns one year old because in the past, due to a lack of medical information, diseases, and harsh temperatures, the death rate for children was quite high. However, once they reached the age of one, the survival rate went up steeply.

Lucas’ Tol was brimming with color and life, and was quite fun to photograph given that he was surrounded by friends and family who travelled quite far to be there with him.

Such a cool cake

Okay, this isn’t Lucas, but I just love this one… the kid’s got style!

Part of the tradition of a Tol is that the child is presented with a few different options in front of him. Whichever items he chooses dictates his course in life. Lucas chose a book of shakespeare, and a doctor’s stethoscope… Seems like good choices to me.