5 Reasons Why Fathers Should Be Celebrated Through Photography

Father’s Day is just around the corner. And what better way to celebrate the love for your father than through photography? Often children steal the spotlight in photos. Every stage of their life is captured behind the lens. We can’t blame them - they’re too cute, and we can’t help but pull out our iPhones or cameras every time they do anything. But like mothers, fathers are also the unsung heroes of their children’s lives and deserve time in the limelight. So, today we’ll discuss the reasons why fathers should be celebrated through photography and why a photoshoot is the best gift for Father's Day. 

1. The bond is undeniable 

Becoming a parent is a unique experience. While caring for your little one, you discover more about life and yourself. Insecurities, past family trauma, and new insights about who you are will emerge. As such, you may ask yourself repeatedly, “Am I a great parent?” or “Am I doing enough?” These questions are a normal part of the process and show how much you care. 

But if you, like most parents, worry about the quality of your bond, photography can give you a day to connect. The bond between a father and their child is undeniable. It greatly shapes the adult your child will become, and your presence influences every aspect of their development. Therefore, a photo session is a perfect way to acknowledge and celebrate your growing bond. It may even give that special care it needs to flourish even further. 

2. Dads deserve love, too

If you google the keyword “Why dads need photos”, you’ll likely find hundreds of articles pleading for fathers to take more photos of mothers with their children. While I don’t disagree with this plea, as mothers are the least photographed family member, dads deserve a little love too. After all, their presence is also vital to their children’s emotional well-being. 

In fact, research shows children have higher levels of sociability, confidence, and self-control when their fathers are actively involved in their lives. So, like mothers, dads deserve to be celebrated through photography with their little ones. It is instrumental for their growth, bond, and overall well-being. 

3. The beauty of parenthood

One of the best reasons why fathers should be celebrated through photography is the beauty of parenthood. Fathers play a significant role in their children’s lives. From providing a positive male role model to boosting confidence and promoting healthy attachment, fathers encapsulate multiple roles. But so do mothers. 

Yet similar to the previous tip, if you google mothers and fathers alike in photography, the keyword research shows a slight competition. Who is more important behind the camera with their children? The answer is both. It’s worth mentioning again that both parents are equally important and deserve celebration. When we uplift and encourage fathers to get behind the camera more often, they become more aware of the incredible privilege they have to shape their children's lives. And when mothers finally exist in photos, we change the narrative and allow them an opportunity to bond and share the spotlight with their children. 

So, creating a more mutual balance between family photos will provide a moment where your children can look back on and say, “I am so lucky. I have the best dad" and "I am so grateful. I have the best parents”. Mothers and fathers both need to exist in photography. 

4. Focus on the precious moments 

Did you know 85% of fathers consider being a dad the best job in the world? It’s a beautiful little fact that may brighten your day. But unfortunately, there’s another fact: The family medical and leave act does not require employers to provide paid leave. This means many parents, fathers included, across the country, have to use accrued paid vacation time or another source to spend time with their children. Yet both are a privilege and many are forced to return to work sooner than later and miss precious family moments. 

And let’s be honest: Life is challenging. Societal pressure conditions us to enter the rat race and strive from one goal to another (often against our will) while becoming mindfully unaware of those small moments that occur after we've left the office. For example, instead of noticing the funny way your two-year-old eats spaghetti or the tear-jerking laugh your five-year-old makes when watching her favorite cartoons, you may be worried about life's stressors. You're not alone. We all struggle to avoid stressing about the past and future. 

But if you pay attention closely, children are our best teachers to slow down, breathe, and love life, including its ups and downs. Their resilient and sponge-like nature that soaks up everything around them gives us the key to happiness: Presence. When fathers have a chance to leave the rat race even for a day and celebrate life with their little teachers, they mindfully learn how to connect and pause. And a portrait session does just that. After you’ve left the studio, you may even feel empowered to look at life through your children’s eyes and focus on all the precious moments. 

5. It provides a great gift 

If you want to spoil your dad on Father’s Day, look no further than booking a photoshoot for just him, for him and the kids, for the whole family, for generations or just for you two. In an age where everything is instant and digital, family portraits are the perfect keepsake. Why? They last for generations, provide a positive core memory that strengthens the family relationship, encourages a lifelong tradition, and teaches the life lesson of slowing down. 

When you and your father take a moment to connect and have fun in front of a camera, you learn to let go and celebrate your bond. Afterward, your father receives a photo he can display in his office, a happy memory to reminisce, or wall art that makes him proud to show friends and family. Not only will it touch his heart that you want to capture his legacy and/or spend a day with him, but it will also brighten your life to share a mindful moment with one of your favorite people. 

Celebrate Father’s Day 

Becoming a parent is a life-altering event. Everything changes from the moment your baby is born. From your identity and behaviors to your relationships and day-to-day, parenthood creates a new you and new life. But portraits are one of the best ways to celebrate life, milestones and boost your confidence. 

Therefore, why not celebrate your life and your milestones as a father? I love witnessing and capturing the beautiful bond between a parent and their kids. And I am a firm believer that not only mother-daughter photoshoots signify more than a photo, but father-children shoots do too. It is an opportunity to create a ripple effect that enhances every aspect of your life. 

Indeed, being an active father who wants to celebrate their role is one of the most important things you can do for your child. This one moment can carry a wave of positive life lessons and qualities that shape your little one. So, if you’re ready for that day, please schedule a consultation with me. I would love to be the person that provides the gift you and your kids/family will both remember and will continue to create for future generations.