With Mother’s Day just behind us, we are now gearing up for Father’s Day on the 18th of June. This is a a special occasion to celebrate the love and bond between a father and his children.
I think we can all agree that dads do not love taking photos as much as mom’s do and getting them to cooperate in a photoshoot (let alone agree) can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to make it a little more palatable . With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can take photos that capture the essence of their special bond without testing dad’s patience.
Set expectations: Make sure dad knows what to expect and what you’re hoping to achieve with the photos. Let him know that the photos are a way to celebrate his love and bond with his children, and that you want to capture natural, candid moments. Also remind him that it’s not all about him, but that these pictures will serve as wonderful memories for your children when they grow up.
Pick the right timing: On father’s day dads really want to go out for a beer with their mates rather than partaking in one of their most dreaded annual activities 🙂 so try to coordinate the shoot for a week or two before actual father’s day. That way you can also have the pictures ready and printed to make the perfect father’s day gift.
Choose the right location and activity: Pick a location and activity that is meaningful and special to dad and your kiddos. It could be a park, beach or even the family’s backyard. You could incorporate dad’s favourite hobbies and go fishing, play games or take a ride in dad’s vintage car. The location and activity you choose will set the tone for the photoshoot and help create a relaxed atmosphere for everyone.
Create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere: The best photos are the ones that capture natural, candid moments. Encourage dad to have fun and play with his children, rather than worrying about posing or looking perfect. A good trick is to take a step back and simply observe the family interact naturally, rather than directing and trying to force poses or moments with a camera right in their face.
Coordinate outfits: One thing that really pulls photos together is choosing outfits that complement each other and reflect the family’s personality. You want it to look natural and don’t want everyone to match, but try to find complementing colours for everyone and avoid busy patterns and logos as they can be distracting.
Be patient and flexible: If dad is feeling uncomfortable or resistant, switch up the location or props to make it more enjoyable for everyone. Take breaks as needed, bring some snacks and drinks and make sure everyone is comfortable and happy throughout the photoshoot.
Remember, the goal is to capture beautiful memories that the family will cherish, so don’t stress too much about getting the perfect shot and make it a fun afternoon of family adventure instead.
Happy Father’s Day!
