So here’s the deal, I am for equal opportunities, all the way! Most of the dads I know pull more than their fair share, help get the kids ready, change diapers, cook dinner, coach t-ball, I’ve even spotted a few regular dads at my daughter’s dance studio. And even if he’s not the “hands on” type so much he probably works like a crazy man for all of you, his family. My husband does as much of the chores as I do (I’ll be the first to admit that he’s MUCH better at doing laundry!) All this to say, dads deserve their day in the spot light as much as moms do. So PLEASE make an effort to let them know how much you appreciate them. Let the kids make something personal just for daddy and make his day special. And by that I don’t mean to have them go pick out some new tube socks or another hideous tie for dad!!!
Now, what does all this have to do with a photo session, you ask? Well, I can tell you that I have had many dads step in front of my camera, hesitant and unsure what to do. I can tell they felt awkward and well, maybe forced into doing a family photo session or dragged along for “support” to their babies’ newborn session. And what I can tell you is that most of the time after a while of shooting and talking and coaxing it’s always amazing to finally see them relax and start to be themselves with their kids. In front of the camera. It’s the best when they forget that I am actually there photographing them. When I get a glimpse of what they are really like, connecting with their children, laughing, being goofy, trying to make them smile… and tender moments like a kiss, a bigger than life hug. It’s like flood gates are opening and all that love that’s inside comes pouring out. When true emotions appear I am always so taken aback and usually these photos end up being some of my favorites. I wish I could do more of that and change the paradigm just a bit. Show that men can be men AND show their feelings. It’s OK to be vulnerable sometimes.
I’ve said before that I get to meet the most inspiring people through my work. It’s a nice perk of being a photographer that you have to try to break down the walls people put up around them to protect themselves and their families. But to photograph their families how they really are, they have to let me in just a bit and trust me. One of my families has been on that journey with me and I truly think of them as friends. And the dad does something I so admire and aspire to (probably because I am not very good at writing myself), he’s been keeping an online journal of his life as a father, ever since his little princess was born. He calls it “Notes from Daddy” and shares little tidbits of wisdom from his point of view, all the things we know and learned and would want to pass on to our children. But the neat thing about it is that it’s written from a dad’s point of view. Not too many dads out there as far as I can tell that openly share their feelings with the world. Every time I check in on his website and read his latest notes I think two things: “I wish I had something like this from my dad” and “I wish we could do something like this for our children”. If you are looking to be inspired check out his website “Notes from Daddy” and if you are like me have some tissues handy while you read
So in the spirit of fatherhood for the whole month of June we are offering:
Our “Daddy and Me” Father’s Day Special
For $200 (+tax) it includes:
-Approx. 45 min mini session for a dad and up to 3 kids (in studio or on location)
- min 20 proofs in online password protected gallery
- One 11×14 fully retouched and mounted print from your session
- And for extra encouragement I am throwing in another $40 print credit!
Additional discount on specialty products such as canvas prints, collages, accordion books or photo jewelry.
Session must be booked and paid for by June 30, 2010 but can be scheduled between now and August 31, 2010. No refunds for paid session fees but funds can be applied to another type of session. Please inquire for full details and pricing.
Happy Father’s Day Month to all the Dads out there!
by admin